Through focus group methodology, the study examines three contexts that del
ineate the co-occurrence of intimate partner violence and sexual risk behav
iors among 68 women on methadone. First, it explores the ways in which the
presence of physical abuse in an intimate relationship prevents women from
asking their partners to use a condom. Second, it describes the ways in whi
ch the couple's drug involvement increases the risk of physical and sexual
violence, and concomitant sexual HIV risks. Third, it discusses the context
in which sexual assault and rape occur in these established intimate relat
ionships and how these abusive events increase women's risks of becoming in
fected with HIV. The research is guided by feminist theory, which affords p
owerful insight into the contexts in which women are put at risk for HIV an
d partner violence. The study provides a discussion on the implications of
the findings to HIV prevention for women who are risk for both HIV and part
ner violence.