After a review of medical literature on domestic violence during pregnancy, this paper shows the results of a survey carried out in 16 European countries. The percentage of women reporting domestic violence during pregnancy varies with the country; it is specially high in Russia, Poland and Czech Republic. Women who live without partner, those whose the couple has been separated during the pregnancy or those living in an overcrowded house have been more often victim of domestic violence. Domestic violence is significantly related to preterm birth risk.