VAW/G Increases the Risk of HIV Infection/Re-Infection

* Violent and/or Forced/Coerced Sex - Tears or lacerations in the vagina or anus increase the risk of HIV transmission. Violence, force, roughness, and vaginal/anal dryness can all increase the number of tears and lacerations in the vagina or anus.
* Lack of Power to Negotiate Safer Sex - In the face of rape (forced/coerced sex) by a partner or non-partner, a woman or girl is unlikely to be in a position to insist on condom use. Additionally, the presence of or the threat of violence (physical, sexual, or psychological) in a relationship often decreases a woman or girl's ability or willingness to insist on condom use.
* Fear of Saying No to Sex - The presence of or the threat of violence (physical, sexual, or psychological) can make women or girls less likely to say no to sex when they normally would.
* Fear of Leaving/Ending a Relationship - The presence of or the threat of violence (physical, sexual, psychological) can make it difficult for women or girls to leave or end relationships that are violent, that are not monogamous, where their partner won't practice safer sex, or that they no longer want to be in for another reason.