A South Carolina Emergency Restraining Order (SC ER) is a type of court order that is designed to protect victims of domestic abuse or other forms of violence from their abusers. It can be issued by a judge without the abuser’s knowledge or consent and is generally granted on an emergency basis. This type of order prohibits the abuser from any contact with the victim, including physical, verbal, or visual contact, and can also prohibit the abuser from coming within a certain distance of the victim. Depending on the situation, the judge may also order other measures such as surrendering firearms or paying for the victim’s medical expenses. There are two types of South Carolina Emergency Restraining Orders. The first is a Domestic Abuse Protective Order, which is specific to situations involving domestic abuse and is only available to victims who are related to or living with their abuser. The second type is a Stalking Protective Order, which is available to victims of stalking, harassment, or other forms of violence. Both types of SC ER's are effective for up to one year and can be extended if necessary.