In 2013, Australian social entrepreneur Elliot Costello traveled to Cambodia, where he visited an orphanage and met a 10-year-old girl named Thea. Despite her young age, Thea had already endured unimaginable pain—after losing her father, she was placed in an orphanage where she was subjected to two years of abuse. Yet, through her trauma, she remained resilient, kind, and full of joy. One evening, during a quiet moment, Thea playfully painted one of Elliot’s fingernails. That small gesture left a lasting impression on him, and he made a silent promise to always keep that nail painted in her honor.

This powerful moment became the inspiration for Polished Man, a global awareness movement Elliot later founded. The initiative encourages men to paint one fingernail, symbolizing the 1 in 5 children worldwide who suffer sexual violence before the age of 18. What began as a personal tribute to Thea grew into a campaign challenging men to speak out, break the silence, and take an active role in preventing abuse. It also serves as a platform to start much-needed conversations around a topic often kept in the dark.

Beyond spreading awareness, Polished Man is a fundraising campaign that supports both prevention efforts and recovery services for survivors. Since its launch, the movement has raised over $8.7 million, funding trauma recovery programs, education, and protection initiatives for at-risk children around the world. The campaign has attracted global attention, with celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Zac Efron, and Kelly Slater proudly joining in and painting a nail to support the cause.

Today, the painted nail is more than just a statement—it’s a symbol of solidarity, a conversation starter, and a call to action. Thanks to Elliot’s promise to Thea, thousands of men and supporters worldwide now use this simple act to push back against violence and stand up for vulnerable children. Through Polished Man, one painted nail at a time, the world is reminded that small actions can spark real and lasting change.