An Internet-based course to raise awareness and educate American Indian youth about the consequences of domestic violence will be offered first to teens in Riverside County tribes, it was announced Thursday.

During the "For All My Relations" conference, hosted in Anaheim by the National Indian Justice Center, the Verizon Foundation announced it was awarding the Santa Rosa-based California Indian Museum & Cultural Center $99,000 to fund online educational courses intended to "combat the epidemic of domestic violence."

"The statistics on teen domestic violence are alarming," said Elva Lima, Verizon's vice president of strategic programs. "Twenty percent of 13- to 14-year-olds in relationships know a victim of violence, but barely half of them recognize the warning signs of abusive relationships.

The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center's new project is one of many programs Verizon is supporting throughout cultural communities in California to combat the epidemic of domestic violence."

American Indians between 18 and 24 years old have the highest risk of exposure to violence in their communities, according to museum officials.

The online program is intended to educate youths about violence prevention before they become young adults.

The courses will be available first to boys 12-17 years old in the Morongo, Pechanga and Soboba tribes. The museum plans to expand the program to tribes throughout the state at a later time, according to officials.

"Violence prevention in tribal communities is an important public health issue," said museum director Nicole Lim. "A community-wide partnership is required to address it effectively. Together with Verizon, we will empower Native youth to change their future."