Violence Against Women With HIV Risk and Recent Criminal Justice System Involvement

Abstract

This research note examines the prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and other violence (OV) among women (N = 529) at risk for HIV and with histories of criminal justice system involvement. The 3-month prevalences of IPV and OV were 31.2% and 18.7%, respectively. IPV was associated with having a current main partner, substance use, sexual risk behavior, trading sex, anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem. OV was associated with no current employment or schooling, unstable housing, drug use, trading sex, anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem. The high prevalence of violence demonstrates the need for intervention in this population; the correlates show that effective interventions must address the complex issues in these women's lives.