Missouri Continues to Fight Online Predators with INOBTR Program

According to a recently published missouri.gov press release, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt, state officials, and others with the INOBTR (short for "I Know Better") are continuing their campaign to fight against and protect Missouri's children from online predators.

Governor Blunt said of INOBTR, "As a matter of principle, I have made our children's safety and security a high priority in my administration...if we cannot keep our children safe, we cannot ensure they have access to the opportunities they deserve. We are providing members of the law enforcement community with the tools they need to help ensure our children are protected when they log on to the Internet."

INOBTR's Founder, Steve Schankman, said, "The goal for INOBTR is to become an Internet Safety resource used across the state of Missouri...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."

Governor Blunt signed a bill that would give INOBTR $150,000 in state funds to continue forth with their safety campaign. The campaign involved spreading awareness, information, and education to help protect the state's children from Internet predators and stalkers.

Missouri has one of the toughest versions of Jessica's Law in the entire nation. According to Wikipedia, Jessica's Law is "the informal name given to a 2005 Florida law designed to punish child molesters and reduce their ability to re-offend. A version of Jessica's Law has been introduced on the federal level, known as the Jessica Lunsford Act." Missouri's version of the law requires a sexual offender to be behind bars for at least 30 years and once they are released from jail, they will be monitored their entire lives. Governor Blunt has helped the state add more tools to make parents aware of sexual offenders and Internet predators, especially with the INOBTR program.

Missouri mother and wife Terri Campbell said, "You have to be careful when letting your kid's use the internet, especially when they're on sites like MySpace or using instant messengers and chat rooms. Still give them their freedom, but monitor what they do and who they talk to when they're online. It's easy to do and you'll feel like you're doing your duty when it comes to protecting your kids."

Governor Blunt put $1.25 million of the state's budget into law enforcement efforts, information, and more to protect Missouri's residents and children from internet predators and sexual predators.