A restraining order, also referred to as an âorder of protection,â is a court order that restricts an action or prevents one person from contacting or harassing another. You may request a retraining order in a divorce proceeding to protect yourself and your children from physical or psychological abuse or to prevent property loss and destruction. You may request a restraining order for other reasons as well. The type and duration of a restraining order may vary from one situation to another and from state to state.