A national organisation aimed at preventing human trafficking says the CNMI is at a critical point in preventing domestic minor sex trafficking.
Linda Smith, who is the founder of Shared Hope International, was speaking after publishing a report following an assessment of several juvenile welfare agencies.
Ms Smith says that although the CNMI has taken steps to prevent and prosecute human trafficking cases, a major problem is a lack of identification of cases involving children.
She says the agencies are not structuring their work to ask if sexual abuse cases may involve the child as a victim of trafficking.
A project officer for the assessment, Melissa Snow, said it was very important for first responders - law enforcement and the Division of Youth Services - know what to look for.
Ms Smith says there are two growing vulnerabilities for CNMI: a growing methamphetamine problem means there are people selling their children in order to make money to buy drugs or in exchange for drugs.
She says the CNMI's tourism environment is also a factor and advocates raising the age that young women are allowed to work in venues that serve alcohol from 16 to 21.
