Protective Orders: What Sex Workers and Medical Escort Clients Need to Know

When someone faces repeated threats, harassment, or violence, a protective order, a court-issued legal tool designed to restrict contact and ensure safety. Also known as restraining order, it’s not just paperwork—it’s a barrier between you and danger. For sex workers, this isn’t theoretical. Many face stalking, violent clients, or police harassment that never gets treated as a real threat. A protective order can legally force someone to stay away from your home, workplace, or even your car. But here’s the catch: most courts don’t understand sex work. They see the activity, not the risk. That’s why knowing how to frame your case matters more than ever.

Protective orders aren’t just for sex workers. People using medical escort services, trained professionals who help patients travel safely to medical appointments often need them too. Imagine an elderly person with dementia being followed by a former caregiver who won’t leave them alone. Or a patient recovering from surgery who’s being harassed by a neighbor after moving into a new building. These aren’t rare cases. Medical escort services often see clients who’ve been targeted, and a protective order can be the only thing that stops the cycle. The same goes for families hiring transport for loved ones with chronic illness—safety isn’t optional.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: you don’t need a criminal conviction to get a protective order. You just need to show a pattern of behavior that makes you fear for your safety. That could be repeated threatening texts, someone showing up at your door after being told to stay away, or even a client who’s been violent before. Documentation is key. Save every message, note every date and time, and keep a log—even if you don’t trust the police. Organizations like SWOP and local harm reduction groups can help you file without involving law enforcement if that’s too risky.

And then there’s housing. Many sex workers are evicted not because they broke a lease, but because landlords find out what they do. A housing safety, the right to live without fear of discrimination or forced removal based on occupation isn’t always written into law, but protective orders can sometimes be used to block eviction attempts tied to harassment or threats from neighbors or landlords. If someone’s threatening to expose you or turn you in just to get you out, that’s a form of coercion—and courts are starting to recognize it.

It’s not perfect. Filing a protective order can take weeks. Some judges still don’t get it. But for people who’ve been ignored by the system, it’s one of the few tools that actually works. You don’t need a lawyer to start. Many legal aid groups offer free help for survivors of violence, no matter your job. And if you’re using medical escort services, ask if they have a safety coordinator—they often know local resources better than anyone.

Below, you’ll find real stories and practical guides on how protective orders intersect with housing, digital safety, medical transport, and survival in a system that doesn’t always have your back. These aren’t theoretical legal opinions. They’re what people are actually doing to stay alive and stay housed—right now.