In societies where gender based power imbalances favor men, a variety of biological, social, economic, and behavioral HIV/AIDS risk factors have been found to increase women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS infection. To better understand the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV risk, this literature review examined the current empirical evidence regarding the impact of IPV on the sexual agency of women. Sexual agency or the ability to engage in sexual decision making, is comprised not only of the ability to refuse sexual contact, but also the ability to successfully negotiate condom use to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. This review summarizes evidence that examines: (a) the relationship between IPV and the ability of women to refuse sex, (b) the relationship between IPV and women's condom use efficacy, and (c) differences in the impact of physical and sexual abuse on overall sexual agency. Findings suggest a positive relationship between IPV and rates of forced/coerced sex. While results found that IPV does impact women's decisions to negotiate condom use, rates of condom use did not differ widely between abused and nonabused women. Moreover, sexual abuse appeared to have a greater impact on sexual decision making than physical abuse.