I’m Katie Waissel, founder of O.W.H.L. (Overseeing the Welfare, Human Rights, and Liberty), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming safety and accountability in the creative industry.

Artists and creative professionals worldwide are facing exploitation and abuse, often with no protection or internal support. This needs to stop now. Your donation will directly support our mission to create a safer, more transparent industry for all.

Why Now? Why Safeguarding, Due Diligence, and Professional Safety Are More Important Than Ever

With the rapidly increasing reports of abuse, harassment, and discrimination, the creative industries are at a tipping point. Artists and industry professionals are speaking out about the challenges they face—whether it’s exploitation, harassment, or abuse. These are not just stories; they’re the lived experiences of people who bring creativity into the world but often find themselves vulnerable and isolated.

I know this because I’ve experienced it firsthand. As a victim of abuse and sexual assault in this industry, it became my life’s mission to ensure that no one else would ever have to go through what I did. The system is broken, and now more than ever, we need real change.

Creative professionals deserve to feel safe, valued, and protected in their workplaces. It’s time to build a culture of trust, accountability, and safety in an industry that has too often neglected those values. This isn’t just about fixing the problem—it’s about creating an entirely new standard for how the creative world should work.

What O.W.H.L. Is and How It Protects Creative Professionals

O.W.H.L. (Overseeing the Welfare, Human Rights, and Liberty in the Creative Industry) is more than a trusted platform—it’s a movement to revolutionise safety and transparency in the creative industries designed to address these critical safety issues. It’s an exclusive membership network where artists and industry professionals can connect with trust and transparency.

O.W.H.L. uses advanced tools like identity verification checks, and fraud detection to ensure that anyone collaborating on the platform has been vetted. We also integrate personal safety features—from alarm systems to encrypted reporting mechanisms.

My Personal Story—Why I Set Up O.W.H.L. and Why I’m Passionate About Protecting Creative Professionals

The truth is, the creative industries are in desperate need of change. I know this personally because I’ve experienced the worst of it. I’ve faced abuse, sexual assault, and exploitation. I’ve been made to feel powerless in situations where I should have felt safe and supported. Those experiences changed me, but they also gave me the drive to change the system.

I founded O.W.H.L. because I want to ensure that no one else has to go through what I did. Creative professionals, whether they are artists, freelancers, or behind-the-scenes workers, deserve to work in environments that are built on trust, safety, and accountability. O.W.H.L. is my way of making sure that there is a tangible solution to an often overlooked systemic problem.

How the Funds Will Be Used—The Impact of Donations, the Projects We’re Working On, and How Any Money Raised Will Be Spent

The funds raised through this campaign will be critical in building out O.W.H.L.’s essential safety features. Your donations will help us:

• Develop and Enhance Core Safety Tools: This includes our identity verification checks, encrypted reporting features, and personal alarm systems—all designed to keep creatives safe and ensure transparency within the industry.

• Launch and Expand the O.W.H.L. Platform: We’re so close to launching the full platform, and with your support, we can bring O.W.H.L. to the broader creative community. Your contributions will help us finalise the platform, making it accessible to the creative industry globally.

• Education and Advocacy: We’ll use part of the funds to raise awareness about safety through educational campaigns and outreach.

• Building a Global Network: As O.W.H.L. grows, we aim to bring together a global community of creatives who are committed to fostering safety, transparency, and trust. Your donations will allow us to onboard more members, grow our network, and create a safer, more supportive industry for everyone.

Your donation, no matter the amount, will directly contribute to protecting creative professionals. You’re not just funding a platform—you’re helping build a movement that will change the creative industry for the better.

Every donation will make a direct impact. Together, we can revolutionise safety in the creative industry for all.

Thank you for your support!