An injunction or court order issued to prohibit violent or threatening acts against a specific individual. An order of protection may be issued by a judge in cases when one person has a history of having threatened, harassed, or attacked another person. Orders of protection are often sought by victims of domestic or family violence to prevent further such acts. An order of protection may restrict a person’s behavior very narrowly, or it may prohibit any contact, communication with, or proximity to another person. Orders of protection usually have expiration dates, although it is possible to have them extended or renewed.