A protective order or a restraining order can be different. When you are trying to look for one, it usually starts at your District Attorney's office. Protective or restraining orders -- and I want to make this up front -- They are a piece of paper. They are not shields. They are not things that will automatically promise that someone is going to stop, but they are legal help that can help you stay safer if you include in your safety plan, if you are trying to leave an abusive relationship. Protective orders basically say that someone can't come within a certain number of feet of you, they can't come to certain areas of where you are, or they can't have contact with you. The best way to do that is you can contact Love is Respect, a National Abuse Hotline, and find information about a legal advocate that can help you in getting a protective order in your area. The other thing is you can also call the District Attorney's Office and ask them about a protective order.