Lisa Maffia, 24, is single and lives in South London with her daughter Chelsea, who is seven.
She says: One of the most emotional moments of my life came at the end of last year, when I appeared on television to make an appeal to a thirteen year old girl who had run away from home.
As I began to say the words 'Come home' I felt my eyes well with tears. The girl's aunt and grandmother stood beside me, and I hugged them as they too began to cry.
As a mother myself, I could imagine the pain her family were feeling. The idea of a young girl walking the streets alone terrified me.
The girl, Asata, was a huge fan of mine, and when all else failed her parents came to me for help in finding their daughter, who had been missing for more than a week. The family were very frightened for her safety, and I was too.
Thankfully, shortly after the appeal went out, Asata got in touch. Now she's back at home, and with help, the family have begun to sort out their problems. At Christmas I got to meet Asata, and she told me she was much happier. She bought a present for my daughter Chelsea, which touched me. It was a wonderful feeling to think that I'd been able to help in some way.
When I was in So Solid Crew, people said our music glamorised guns and violence, but I've never told people how they should live their life. As I said before, I find 'gun culture' disgusting. I want to use my influence to spread a positive message and, hopefully, inspire people to do the same.
In October the NSPCC approached me to work with them, and I knew it was just the opportunity I was looking for. I've just taken part in a series of television adverts for them, alongside Ms. Dynamite, Thierry Henry and Graham Norton, and I'll be performing in charity shows in the near future. While Asata's problems were able to be resolved, some kids are not as lucky - something that I know all too well.
When I was ten, a school friend of mine told me that her stepfather was abusing her. Although I was too young to understand fully I knew it was wrong. She had tried to tell her mother what was going on, but she wouldn't listen, which was the most hurtful thing of all.
Eventually, I persuaded her to talk to my mother about it, and she contacted the authorities. The stepfather went to prison, and my friend still doesn't speak to her mother, but she now has a loving husband and a good job. While she has put the abuse behind her, it will never be forgotten.
Most people couldn't even imagine hurting a child, but it does go on. It is awful to think that other children are going through what she did right now, and that is why I am determined to do everything I can to change things.
I feel incredibly lucky that my own childhood, growing up in Brixton with my mother, Tanya, and older sister Kelly, was happy and loving. Although my mother worked part time, as a nanny, she was always at home to cook dinner when my sister and I came home from school.
I was just eighteen when I had my daughter Chelsea. When I told my mother I was pregnant, she said that she would support me, but that if I decided to keep the baby I would have to learn to look after myself.
At times it was a struggle, but I learned to be self sufficient. I moved out of home, sharing a flat with Chelsea's father, and took on part time work - earning �45 a week at Barratt's Shoes - to fit in with college. My mother was always there to help, and she still looks after Chelsea when I'm on tour.
I didn't grow up in the best of areas, and didn't have the best of things, but I've always had my family to turn to, and every child deserves the same.
The issue of child abuse is incredibly complex. So often, the abuser is a close friend or family member, which makes it incredibly hard for the child to say anything. They might even think it's their own fault.
Most people wouldn't dream of hurting a child, and would find it hard to believe that anyone could. I know, from experience, that it does happen. This is why organisations like the NSPCC, who have confidential phone lines for children to call for help or advice, are so important. There are children suffering in silence, and if we are to protect them, they need someone they can turn to.
Abuse can make a child feel frightened, alone, confused, angry, unloved, guilty, ashamed and unimportant. Only by telling someone and getting help can the abuse be stopped.
To contact the NSPCC call 7825 2500 or call the 24 hour child protection helpline on 0808 800 5000.
Interview by Barney Calman
With thanks to the London Evening Standard