Domestic violence is an offence and is one of the major causes for increase of crime index of the state. it is a social phenomenon that has caught the attention of all and sundry in the recent times. The term domestic includes violence by an intimate partner wherever this violence takes place and by whatever forms. And also this violence is a pattern of assault and coercive behavior including physical, sexual and psychological attacks, by a person against his/her own intimate partner. This study sought to evaluate and examine the problem of domestic violence in general. the author tries to explain the root causes of domestic violence which includes certain factors such as individual, relationship, community, societal, legal and political factors. These factors are responsible for domestic violence and its consequences on the victim's psychological as well as physical health in day to day life. Key words: domestic violence, forms, risk factors, consequences, Iraq.