A protective order, also known as a restraining order, is designed to prevent one party from being in proximity to another, usually for safety reasons. When someone is facing a threat or harassment, they may file for a protective order to keep that person away from them.
Protective orders offer space and safety for someone who feels they need to be legally, physically distanced from someone else. One instance when protective orders are often issued is a divorce. If a divorcing couple is dealing with long, drawn-out proceedings, one person may seek a protective order.