Official figures have revealed more than 130 incidents of self-harm in Youth Justice Residences in the past five years.
As well, seven young people attempted to harm themselves or take their own lives in police cells, including one aged just 13.
A Youth Justice advocate says the figures are horrifying, but Oranga Tamariki says they show how complex and damaged some young people are.
RNZ Youth Affairs Reporter Katie Doyle has the story.
