SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- The Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino is responding to the church sex abuse scandal in an unusual way, according to The Associated Press. The California diocese published a victim's firsthand account and is distributing a video to its parishes to raise awareness.

"Victims have said, ‘Don't tell us that you're praying for us if you're not prepared to act,'" said Deacon Mike Jelley, who is coordinating the effort. "We're trying to put our words into actions."

The newsletter, printed in Spanish and English, includes the words of a 40-year-old San Bernardino County man who described how a priest from another Southern California diocese molested him as a child. The videotape encourages victims to call a church hot line for help.

The newsletter and video were being distributed to the diocese's 110 churches beginning Jan. 25, according to the AP.

Since the recent flood of accusations of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests began last year, victims' rights groups have criticized the church for trying to cover up the scandal and for protecting priests accused of abuse in the past.

Many dioceses around the country have started awareness campaigns about sexual abuse. Some, including San Bernardino, plan to sponsor discussion groups about sexual abuse and the church during Lent. Jelley said he had received requests from other dioceses for copies of the video.

Cases involving six San Bernardino priests are pending against the diocese, and the diocese has filed police reports on 32 priests, including some who are now dead, according to its spokesman, Howard Lincoln.