When Elliot Costello and a group of other people visited Cambodia, he had an encounter with a young girl named Thea.
Little did Elliot know that this encounter would have an impact so profound on him that it would help start a movement whose goal is to end sexual abuse against children.
Namely, Thea always had nail polish on her tiny nails. One day, as she and Elliot chatted, she asked to paint one of his nails. He agreed and was happy to speak to the chatty girl, but he then learned that she was once a victim of sexual abuse.
“As she painted one of my nails, I assured her I would always keep it that way to remember her, and by extension, her suffering,” Elliot said.
This motivated Elliot to try and make positive change among men so that less and less children fall victims of sexual abuse.
That is when he came up with the movement called #PolishedMan where men put nail polish on one of their nails. That one nail represents the one in five children who will be victims of sexual violence.
Polished Man works towards ending sexual violence against children. According to the organization, “being a Polished Man means challenging violent behavior and language, both locally and globally.”
Elliot believes that since men are responsible for 96% of this type of violence against children globally, they should be catalyst for change if we are ever to see an end to the abuse of innocent children.
The goal with the painted nail isn’t just to remind people of the number of children who are abused every single day, but to serve as a conversation starter about this reality, leading to new ideas about prevention. He also hopes that people will start donating to “support educational programs and resources for child survivors of abuse,” as per APlus.
We hope that more men, including celebrities
Braless TV News Anchors Ignite Intense Public Debate
In a bid to boost viewership, Albanian TV station Zjarr made headlines with an unconventional approach: hiring young journalist Enki Bracaj, who delivered news segments without wearing a bra. Albania, a traditionally conservative Balkan nation where about 60% of the population identifies as Muslim, reacted strongly to the station’s choice, sparking heated debates and garnering widespread attention on social media.
Despite the initial backlash, Zjarr’s strategy proved remarkably successful. “In Albania, where political influence often manipulates the news, viewers were ready for a medium that delivered information ‘naked’—both literally and symbolically,” explained Zjarr TV owner Ismet Drishti in a 2016 interview with AFP.
Drishti emphasized that the presentation aimed not at sensationalism but at promoting transparency in news reporting. “We aren’t selling sex; we’re presenting the news as it is. This approach is both symbolic and effective for publicity.”
Enki Bracaj, then 21, quickly became a local celebrity after joining Zjarr in 2016. She explained that the idea to present braless was her own, inspired by her decision to wear an open blouse to her job interview.
“In this competitive industry, I just found a way to stand out,” Enki said, noting that her family was supportive of her choice. “To succeed, I knew I had to be bold and offer something different.”
When Enki eventually left Zjarr, rumors circulated that salary disputes were to blame, but the station felt she overstepped when she took a modeling opportunity with Playboy.
Her successor, 24-year-old Greta Hoxhaj, followed a similar style in her on-air presentation. “I worked in local television for five years with little recognition,” Hoxhaj said. “In just three months at Zjarr, I became a star.” She noted that her appearance on air was far more provocative than her everyday style.
Videos of these Albanian news anchors have since gone viral, igniting debate. While some viewers support their choice of dress, others argue that media outlets should prioritize professionalism and respect.
“Too many women on TV have necklines that are way too low,” one viewer commented. Another added, “It’s disheartening to see such tactics used just to gain screen time.”
Despite the criticism, Hoxhaj remains unfazed. “What matters is that I’m succeeding in my work and enjoying my newfound fame. I have a beautiful life filled with love,” she shared.
What do you think about this approach to news broadcasting?
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