Around this time each year, the non-for-profit Polished Man campaigns for a world where no child experiences violence, and if you’ve ever thought about getting involved, 2021 is the year to do so. It starts by painting a nail.
With the world in lockdown for several months, victims have been exposed to more harm, more often, while some unable to escape. Some alarming stats have also come out of the woodwork, too, with a 42% rise in first-time family violence reports along with a major increase in severity. The good news is there are several ways to help.
How To Get Involved
Paint A Nail
From Thursday 1 October, through to the end of the month, paint one or all of your nails in the OG Polished Man Blue or in any other colour you feel suits your beautiful hands best. Your nail, or nails, will not only look great, but they’re a great platform for sparking conversations that inspire action and donations. Make sure you sign yourself or your team up and then set yourself a fundraising target, too.
From there, you’ll be joining a host of Aussies—like comedian Tommy Little and Nazeem Hussain and TV personality Liv Phyland—in raising much-needed funds and awareness to end violence against children.
Paint Your Pet’s Nail
In terms of raising awareness, Polished Pet works in the same way as painting your own nail, though it’s best you leave the nail painting up to the pet-pros at PETStock. Head into their participating stores during October and book in your furry friend for a buff and polish in exchange for a $2 donation to Polished Man—the pet groomer (and nail artist) on duty will then give Fido a pedicure with a vegan, non-toxic blue nail polish.
Where The Money Goes
Your fundraising and the donations from those around you goes directly to trauma prevention and trauma recovery initiatives that children who have either experienced violence or are at risk. Polished Man support programs globally, including but not limited to Australian Childhood Foundation, SAMSN, Hagar Australia, New York Center for Children and the Mackillop Family Services' Paw Pals Program.
Polished Man is backed by ygap, an international development organisation that exists to support early stage programs, initiatives and ventures that create positive social impact. They work across the globe and have a proven track record in inciting real change, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll be helping make a difference when you paint that nail.
Image credit: Polished Man