Women were recruited using printed announcements posted at three inner-city methadone clinics in the Bronx and Harlem as well as through referrals from methadone program staff during a 9-month period between 1995 and 1996. Structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants to obtain information on demographics, drug use, sexual behavior, partner violence, and childhood sexual abuse. About 75 percent of the women had experienced physical, sexual, or life-threatening abuse; about 33 percent experienced at least one type of abuse during the previous year. A history of childhood victimization was reported by more than half of the women; one-third had witnessed their mothers being abused. The risk of partner violence was associated with a victim's current drug and alcohol use, visiting shooting galleries, and living with someone who had drug or alcohol problems. Implications of the findings for research and intervention are discussed. 71 references and 7 tables