The Poughkeepsie Journal is reporting Dutchess County officials are looking to expand the county's domestic violence prevention funding in its proposed 2020 budget. County Executive Marc Molinaro announced his proposed spending plan would increase funding for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs and services by 10 percent over 2019, allocating a total of nearly $3.7 million. Part of the increase comes at the recommendation of the county Legislature’s Sexual Assault Task Force, according to a statement released by Molinaro’s office. Molinaro allocated $100,000 for specialized sexual assault training for law enforcement, among other things. “There is clearly a greater need for education and awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault, more than ever before,” Molinaro said in the release. The increase comes in the wake of several high-profile instances of domestic violence or suspected abuse. The Dutchess County's 2020 spending plan will be presented to the full Legislature on October 30. Read the full story in the Poughkeepsie Journal.