How does a restraining order work?

My husband and I are legally separated, and have a two year old together. I told him from the beginning that I wouldn't keep her from his family. I came to stay with his family for a little while, and everything was going ok. Long story short, my husband and I get along pretty well still but his family plays alot of games. I was staying in a three bedroom house with my mother ans sister in law and her fiance. I paid a tjird of the rent and slept on tjw couch because they ju st... Stupid . I got into an argument with the sil because she tried to tell me how to raise my child and she ended up assaulting me in front of my daughter while shes screaming for me. I wish I would have been the type of person to throw a blow. I called thw police after,threats to lock me out of the house where my daug ht er was and to feed my cat to their dog etc. when the cops came she had THROWN my things out of the house I paid rent in. they took pictures and I chose not to file charges and got my things and left. I later found out my mother in law was conspiring to get my daughter since her dad is military. I want to file a restraining order against the, for both me and my daughter but dont under stand completely how I can.. I wont be in the state very long but I dont want her father to be able to bring her here until she is old enough to make her own fully concious decisions. I just need a lottle advice... Sorry about the unorganized rambling. Thanks