Thursday, March 1, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt and Hanaway Launch Campaign to Help Protect Children from Internet Predators
ST. LOUIS–Gov. Matt Blunt today joined U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway in the official launch of the “I Know Better” (INOBTR) campaign to help stop Internet predators from targeting children.
“In Missouri, our version of Jessica’s Law sends a clear message that egregious crimes against our children will not be tolerated,” Blunt said. “The ‘I Know Better’ campaign will help strengthen what we have already accomplished to protect our children through Jessica’s Law by providing Missourians improved access to information about online threats and predators.”
INOBTR is a new not-for-profit campaign that will provide Missourians with information about online predators with the use of innovative strategies to communicate with children about the dangers that can be found on the Internet. Parents will also be given the opportunity to attend workshops and seminars about the Internet, its related dangers, and effective parenting techniques.
Last year, Blunt signed legislation to create the Cyber Crime Grant Program. This year the governor is asking the General Assembly to double funding for this program and set aside an additional $250,000 for local law enforcement so that they can purchase the equipment they need to apprehend criminals who are using the Internet to prey on Missouri’s children.
The governor’s strong leadership has ensured Missouri has one of the strongest versions of Jessica’s Law in the nation. It 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 expanded the state’s sexual offender registry and add new tools to make it a more powerful resource for parents and law enforcement officials.
For more information about the INOBTR campaign visit: www.inobtr.org.
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