The sex trafficking case involving a disabled Colorado Springs woman is headed for a trial, but her mother is advocating for accommodations in what is expected to be a grueling court process for the family.

Alleged Crips gang member Tieson Craig, 48, is facing human trafficking and pimping charges after investigators connected him to the alleged trafficking of a woman with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Facebook messages and interviews. His trial is scheduled to begin April 6 and is expected to take a week.

But special accommodations are needed for the now 22-year-old woman, and the case needs to be a wake-up call for the judicial system and its lack of knowledge around handling these unique situations, said the woman’s mother, Catherin Moeller.

Between now and the trial, Moeller said she has been working with the District Attorney’s office to dedicate days built around role-playing the trial in a courtroom for her autistic daughter, who she says still has “the mind of a child” due to her disabilities.

“It’s more of like what to expect, what to anticipate to help alleviate the anxiety, and then also role-playing certain emotions — like what to do when she gets scared,” Moeller said.

Studies show that role-playing and cognitive behavior therapy for difficult situations is helpful in reducing stress and anxiety in adults with autism. Role-playing is especially helpful in practicing body language, facial expressions and tone of voice for children with the disorder, according to Advanced Autism Services, a provider of therapy.

To turn the role-play sessions into reality, Moeller said the DA’s victim advocacy unit has been in discussion with the 4th Judicial District to advocate on her behalf.

While the DA has been helpful, Moeller remains concerned about the handling of a situation involving a person with a disability.

“I’m hopeful that everyone is wanting to do right, but there’s no knowledge of what to do,” Moeller said. “They have thrown out ideas, but at the end of the day, I think I am the one that’s presenting, ‘We need to do this, this and this.'”

Moeller said times she’s talked with the family’s attorney, Ruben Dufour, about bringing in a service dog and making sure there are times for breaks for her daughter during trial.

While she’s confident role-playing sessions will be helpful, Moeller also thinks there should be other accommodations, such as having a person with a cognitive disability such as her daughter speak only to the judge and the jury when they take the stand.

“There’s a gap. People with disabilities have rights, and they need to be accommodated for. And that is missing,” she said.

Regardless, a trial is something the 43-year-old mother wanted so that she could shed light on the “horrific” crimes she says Craig committed.

And she and her daughter have been working to mentally prepare for the day while leaning on a social network of friends and family to help get them both through the difficult process.

“I want to bring awareness to crimes like this. The public should know that this (trafficking) is happening here, even to at-risk adults,” Moeller said.

Before his trial, Craig is scheduled to appear in court on March 26 for a pre-trial readiness hearing.