WHAT IS POLISHED MAN?

Being a Polished Man means you don’t turn your back on the vulnerable. You raise your voice – and nail – to say, “not on my watch”. You embrace the smirks and know it doesn’t matter; there are worse things than being embarrassed by a little mani. Because nailing it isn’t about shouting the first round, or how much you lift. Nailing it is saying no to violence against children. 

1. Sign up.

Enter your details, set a fundraising goal and we’ll send you everything you need to get started.

2. Kick it off.

Kick off your fundraising by donating $50 to your own page.

3. Team up.

Start a team with your work mates, sporting mates or mate mates.

4. Paint up.

Paint your nail, and start raising awareness and funds throughout the year.

WHY MEN?

90% of all sexual violence against children is perpetrated by men.

But that doesn’t mean we are pointing the finger.

We’re asking men to lead the way, to start conversations and challenge the culture from where they stand.

One man-i-cure at a time.

WHY NAIL POLISH?

It started with a girl named Thea.

When she was eight years old, her father – the family’s sole breadwinner – passed away, leaving Thea and her family without any money.

Thea’s mother sent her to an orphanage, hoping to give her safe refuge. Instead, Thea was physically and sexually assaulted, every day, for two years by the very person who was supposed to be taking care of her.  A western man.

YGAP’s CEO, Elliot Costello met Thea while visiting Hagar International, in Cambodia. She had recently been rescued and Elliot was one of the first westerners she’d met since.

They bonded over naughts and crosses. 

When it came time to leave, Thea took Elliot’s hand and drew a love heart on his palm. And then painted his nails blue; a polished man.

The next day, Elliot heard Thea’s story.

On that day he made the decision to paint one nail to remember her.

Later, he found out that 1 in 5 children around the world suffer physical and/or sexual violence before the age of 18.

And so Polished Man was born.

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

All funds raised through Polished Man are channelled into trauma recovery and trauma prevention programs for children who have suffered or are at risk of suffering violence globally.

These include YGAP impact entrepreneurs running ventures that reduce violence against children or provide emergency relief to those that have fallen victims to physical and/or sexual violence. YGAP partners with Global Development Group (GDG,  ABN: 57 102 400 993) to deliver projects in Kenya, South Africa and Bangladesh. GDG provide governance oversight to ensure projects meet the standards required by the Australian Government. Donations over $2 to these projects are tax deductible.

Funds are also channelled into some incredible work being carried out by the Australian Childhood Foundation, Hagar International, the New York Centre for Children and World Vision.

HOW CAN WOMEN GET INVOLVED?

“I prefer a #PolishedMan”

Ladies, we need your help, too! 

1. Rally behind the men in your life and tell them to become a Polished Man. 

2. Tell the world, “I prefer a #PolishedMan” on social – selfie alone or with your Polished Man.

3. Help nail it for them. Lend your men a hand and help give him a fresh coat of paint.

4. Nail it yourself, and paint one feature nail for any month in the year and raise funds and awareness.