In 2013, Australian social entrepreneur Elliot Costello embarked on a life-changing trip to Cambodia, where he visited an orphanage and met a young girl named Thea. At just 10 years old, Thea had already endured immense hardship. After the loss of her father, she was placed in the orphanage, where she suffered two years of abuse. Despite her traumatic past, Thea’s resilience, courage, and unwavering joy left a profound impact on Elliot, During their time together, Thea playfully painted one of Elliot’s nails. In that moment, he made a silent promise—to keep his nail painted as a reminder of her suffering and the suffering of millions of other children affected by violence. This small but powerful gesture sparked an idea that would soon turn into a global movement.Motivated by his encounter with Thea, Elliot founded Polished Man, an awareness campaign encouraging men to paint one nail as a symbol of solidarity with the one in five children worldwide who experience sexual violence before the age of 18. The movement challenges men to take an active stand against child abuse, promoting conversations about a topic often shrouded in silence and stigma.

Beyond raising awareness, Polished Man is also a fundraising initiative that supports prevention and recovery programs for survivors of abuse. The campaign quickly gained traction, drawing the attention of high-profile celebrities such as Chris Hemsworth, Zac Efron, and Kelly Slater, who lent their voices—and painted nails—to the cause. Their involvement helped propel the movement into the public eye, inspiring thousands of people across the world to participate.Since its launch, Polished Man has raised an impressive $8.7 million to fund trauma recovery, education programs, and protective measures for at-risk children. The initiative has not only provided crucial resources for survivors but has also ignited crucial discussions about the role men can play in breaking the cycle of abuse.Through Polished Man, Elliot Costello continues to honor Thea’s story, ensuring that her pain was not in vain. His movement serves as a call to action, reminding the world that even small acts—like painting a single nail—can spark meaningful change. By standing together, supporters of Polished Man help create a future where all children can grow up in safety, free from the shadows of violence.