In a visit to Cambodia, Elliot Costello had an encounter with a young girl named Thea that would profoundly impact him and inspire a global movement aimed at ending sexual abuse against children.
Thea, a sweet and chatty girl, always had her nails painted. One day, while talking with Elliot, she asked if she could paint one of his nails. He agreed, not realizing the significance this simple act would later hold. As she painted the nail, Thea shared that she was once a victim of sexual abuse. In that moment, Elliot promised her that he would keep the nail painted as a reminder of her and the suffering endured by many children like her.
This promise sparked Elliot’s creation of the #PolishedMan movement, where men paint one of their nails to symbolize the one in five children who will be victims of sexual violence in their lifetime. The goal of the movement is to raise awareness, start conversations, and ultimately end sexual abuse against children.
#PolishedMan urges men, who are responsible for 96% of this violence, to take a stand and be catalysts for change. The painted nail serves not just as a reminder of the staggering statistics, but as a conversation starter about the reality of child abuse and how it can be prevented. The movement also encourages donations to support educational programs and resources for child survivors of abuse.
Elliot’s hope is to see more men, including celebrities, participate in this movement and help raise awareness about the need for change.
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