In 2013, Australian social entrepreneur Elliot Costello visited an orphanage in Cambodia, where he met 10-year-old Thea—a meeting that changed his life and inspired a global movement.
Thea had suffered two years of horrific abuse at the hands of an orphanage director before being rescued and placed in a new home run by Hagar International. Despite her trauma, she remained joyful. During Elliot’s visit, she painted one of his nails—a gesture that became a powerful symbol.
Elliot promised to keep that nail painted to honor Thea and raise awareness of child abuse. This simple act sparked the Polished Man campaign, encouraging men to paint one nail to represent the one in five children who experience sexual violence.
Since then, the campaign has gained worldwide support, with celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Zac Efron, and Kelly Slater joining in. The message is clear: men must be part of the solution to end violence against children.
Over the past decade, Polished Man has raised $8.7 million to fund trauma recovery and prevention programs globally. The movement continues to challenge harmful behavior and advocate for a safer world for children.