A restraining order is a civil order that requires one person to stop harming or harassing another person. A restraining order can also require the abuser to stay away from the victim and/or their children, and may give the victim temporary custody of the family home or pet. In some cases, a restraining order will also require the abuser to surrender any firearms they own.
In most states, violating a restraining order is a criminal offense, punishable by jail time and/or fines. Additionally, many employers now run background checks on job applicants, which means that a person with a restraining order on their record may have difficulty finding employment.