AIDS: AIDS has a major impact on a couple's relationship and can increase the risk of domestic violence. The HIV-positive victim may be accused of bringing the illness upon himself. This can cause feelings of guilt, which destroy self-esteem. The abuser may tell the victim that he is doing a great favor by not abandoning him. The abuser may also threaten to disclose his mate's HIV-positive status to parents and friends. The abuse may also be physical, especially if the victim is dependent upon his partner. The victim may fear leaving the relationship, not finding another partner, and dying alone. The HIV-negative victim may be abused due to resentment by his partner that he, too, is not ill. Abuse may be sexual, with the HIV-positive abuser refusing to use a condom and risking the spread of the virus. A control issue may arise as the HIV-positive partner loses control over his own health and abuses his partner to gain some form of control. The victim may wish to end the relationship but may feel that the abuser needs him. There must be equality and respect between partners. If not, it is better to be alone.