Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Teams Up with INOBTR Campaign, Miss Missouri to Promote Internet Safety
KANSAS CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today joined forces with the INOBTR campaign, Miss Missouri 2007 Lindsay Casmaer, who has been a victim of cyberstalking, and other state and local officials to promote Internet safety. Gov. Blunt also ceremonially signed House Bill 8 which provides $150,000 for the INOBTR campaign to help fight against Internet predators.
"Protecting the safety and security of Missouri's children is one of the most important jobs that I have as governor," Gov. Blunt said. "The Internet is a wonderful tool that we all use everyday, but unfortunately there are despicable predators that use it to prey on our children. This bill and the INOBTR campaign will provide Missouri families with the necessary tools to protect our children when they use the Internet."
"The goal for INOBTR is to become an Internet Safety resource used across the state of Missouri," said INOBTR Founder Steve Schankman. "These much needed dollars we are receiving will help us do just that. We want to reach children, parents, educators and community leaders to help them understand potential online dangers."
"As someone who was a victim of a cyber crime at age 21, I can't possibly imagine how a child would feel after being targeted by a predator online," said Miss Missouri 2007 Lindsay Casmaer. "I am eager and excited to work with INOBTR and promote Internet Safety education in Missouri."
Blunt has championed the INOBTR (text shorthand for "I Know Better") campaign to help fight against online sexual predators by securing $150,000 in the state budget. The funds will support this public awareness campaign and education initiative to fight Internet predators.
Blunt's strong leadership has ensured Missouri has one of the toughest versions of Jessica's Law in the nation. The legislation mandates a lifetime sentence with a minimum of 30 years for serious sexual crimes that are committed against young children and calls for certain sex offenders to be monitored their entire lives. The governor has also led the successful effort to expand the state's sexual offender registry and add new tools to make it a more powerful resource for parents and law enforcement officials. Missouri's Jessica's Law also included the creation of Multi-jurisdictional Internet Cyber Crimes Task Forces to protect children from online predators.