During his visit, Costello met a ten-year-old girl named Thea, whose tragic story would inspire a significant movement. Thea had endured two years of severe physical and sexual abuse after being placed in the orphanage following her father’s unexpected death, which left her family in financial turmoil. Her mother was forced to send her to the orphanage, where her life became a nightmare.

Polished Man

According to the organization Polished Man, Thea suffered daily abuse at the hands of the orphanage’s director. Fortunately, she was later moved to a different orphanage in Phnom Penh, run by Hagar International, where she crossed paths with Costello.
During their time together, Thea’s resilience shone through as they bonded over games. Thea, who often painted her nails, asked if she could paint one of Costello’s nails. As she painted, he promised to keep it that way as a reminder of her and her suffering.

Instagram @chrishemsworth

This encounter motivated Costello to initiate a movement aimed at preventing sexual violence against children. He encouraged men to paint one nail to symbolize the one in five children who will experience sexual violence. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the staggering statistics: nearly 70% of reported sexual assaults involve children aged 17 and under, with one in four girls and one in six boys being sexually abused before reaching adulthood.
Recognizing that men are responsible for about 90% of violence against children, Costello believes men must lead the charge for change. The Polished Man movement has garnered support from numerous celebrities, including Chris Hemsworth, who shared his painted nail in solidarity, stating, “Being a Polished Man isn’t just about remembering to buy flowers; it’s about saying no to violence against children.”

Instagram @zacefron

Other celebrities like Zac Efron and surfer Kelly Slater have also joined the social media challenge, helping to amplify the message. Since its inception, the campaign has gained traction, capturing the attention of major media outlets.
Now in its tenth year, Polished Man has raised $8.7 million to support trauma prevention and recovery programs for women and children at risk of violence globally. The organization continues its mission to create a safer world for children by challenging violent behavior and language.

Costello’s story and the movement he inspired remind us of the importance of collective action in addressing the issue of child abuse.