http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restraining_order
A Restraining order is a form of legal injunction. The term is most commonly used in reference to domestic violence, harassment, stalking or sexual assault. Each state has some form of domestic violence restraining order law,[1] and many states also have specific restraining order laws for stalking[2] and sexual assault.[3]

A restraining order is a legal order issued by a state court which requires one person to stop harming another person. It is also sometimes called a Protection Order, Order of Protection, Protection from Abuse Order, Police Protection, Protective Order, Non molestation order or some other similar name. In Australia the term is Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) or Intervention Order [4]

Restraining order/protection order laws establish who can file for an order, what protection or relief a person can get from such an order, and how the order will be enforced. While there are differences from state to state, all protective order statutes permit the court to order the abuser to stay away from someone, their home, their workplace or their school ("stay away" provisions) and to stop contacting them. Victims