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Social Work vocabulary · Adults and Vulnerable Groups

Protection order

Meaning in social work, with examples

nounCommon term

In social work, protection order means: A court order that protects a person from abuse or threats, for example by banning the abuser from contacting them or coming near their home.

In Turkish: koruma kararı, tedbir kararı, uzaklaştırma kararı

How it is used

Names differ by country: restraining order in the US, non-molestation order and occupation order in England and Wales. Breaking the order is usually a criminal offence. Social workers help survivors understand the options and link them with legal advice.

Example sentences

  1. She was granted a protection order that bans her ex-partner from her street.

  2. The police were called when he broke the protection order.

Common collocations

  • apply for a protection order
  • grant a protection order
  • breach a protection order
  • restraining order
  • domestic abuseControlling, threatening or violent behaviour between partners, ex-partners or family members, including emotional, financial and physical abuse.
  • safety planA practical plan, made with the person or family, listing the steps to take and the people to contact to stay safe from a specific risk.
  • risk assessmentA structured look at what harm might happen, how likely and how serious it is, and what can be done to reduce it.
  • vulnerableMore likely than others to be harmed, exploited or left without support because of age, illness, disability, poverty or other circumstances.

More terms: Adults and Vulnerable Groups

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