Gender-based violence and HIV sexual risk behavior: Alcohol use and mental health problems as mediators among women in drinking venues, Cape Town

► Women from drinking venues in a Cape Town township engaged in higher sexual risk behavior if they were abused by men. ► There was a significant indirect effect of gender-based violence on sexual risk behavior through alcohol use, but not mental health problems. ► There was no mediated relationship between alcohol use and sexual risk behavior through the experience of recent abuse or mental health problems.