April 16, 2026 8:02 am
Clark County, Public Safety 
A crowd of people listens to speakers from Shared Hope International at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on April 9.
Members of the crowd take a seat at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on April 9. (Photos by Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
Representatives from Shared Hope International speak at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on April 9. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
Elizabeth Freisinger of Shared Hope International, left, talks with survivor Yvonne Fryar during a discussion at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on April 9. Shared Hope International hosted a full-day training that brought together educators, law enforcement, medical professionals, youth-serving organizations and social service providers. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
Survivor Yvonne Fryar speaks to the crowd during a discussion hosted by Shared Hope International at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on April 9. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
Linda Smith, president and founder of Shared Hope International, speaks to the crowd at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on April 9. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
Elizabeth Freisinger of Shared Hope International, left, joins president and founder Linda Smith at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on April 9. Shared Hope International will also host an educational event in Battle Ground on Thursday. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)
Linda Smith, president and founder of Shared Hope International, left, joins colleague Elizabeth Freisinger at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on April 9.
Yvonne Fryar became a survivor of human trafficking at the age of 7, an experience that forced her into years of exploitation. By 11, she was on the streets, surviving by trading sex for food, safety and drugs.
Despite showing signs of distress, such as showing up to school dirty or frequent encounters with law enforcement, nobody could tell she was being trafficked, she said.
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