What is the purpose of a protective order?

The purpose of a protective order is to prevent one person from contacting or harming another individual. This legal document is often issued by a court to safeguard individuals from threats, harassment, or abuse. Protective orders are commonly sought in cases involving domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, where the individual requesting the order seeks assurance of their safety and well-being by restricting the other person's ability to engage with them.

The nature of protective orders is to create a buffer that legally obligates the other party to refrain from any form of direct or indirect contact, which may include physical, verbal, or electronic communication. This legal measure is crucial for promoting the safety of vulnerable individuals and can involve stipulations such as maintaining a certain distance from the protected party or prohibiting the individual from entering specific locations.

The purpose of a protective order does not align with facilitating communication between parties, specifying visitation rights, or imposing fines for legal violations, which are distinct legal actions not related to the primary goal of safeguarding individuals in potentially harmful situations.