Ashley Darby on Husband Michael Darby's Sexual Assault Allegations: "This Was a Traumatic Time for Our Relationship"

Fans of The Real Housewives of Potomac have watched Ashley Darby and her husband, Michael Darby, experience some challenging times on the show over the years. But later on this season, we'll see the couple go through their most trying time yet.

A preview earlier this season of RHOP showed that Michael will be charged with sexual assault, rocking the world of Ashley and her fellow Potomac Housewives. Ashley addressed these charges against Michael, which were ultimately dropped, during an interview with The Daily Dish in New York City in May. "Those allegations that came were completely dismissed and all of the people who were there and were witnesses can attest that it didn't happen," she said in the above video. "This was an allegation that was proven to not be true, yet was treated with the same potency as what is true, and that's really frustrating for me."

Ashley's faith in Michael's innocence never wavered during this difficult time. "I made a commitment to Michael when we got married that I would stand with him, in sickness and in health and all those vows that I can't remember, but I made that commitment," she explained. "If I had a question of Michael's character or if I had any doubts or apprehensions about who he is, for certain, I would have approached this situation very differently, and I would have been transparent with everybody about the fact that I was questioning him, his intentions, and the truth. But because I have no doubts, there's absolutely nothing in my mind — especially because I was there when this alleged incident happened, literally standing right there — I feel just so confident in my husband. I believe him 100 percent."

The subject of sexual assault is something that actually hits very close to home for Ashley. She revealed that she was sexually abused as a child in a video on Instagram Live in February, which she told The Daily Dish made the allegations against Michael all the more painful for the couple. "It hurt Michael, because we also do take the #MeToo movement very seriously," Ashley said. "I've been an advocate for sexual abuse victims. I am a sexual abuse survivor, so I would never, by any means, take that lightly, nor would I be dismissive of someone who did claim that and it was true."

This incident did not derail Ashley's dream of starting a family with Michael. Ashley announced in February that she is expecting her first child with Michael. The baby, which was later revealed will be a boy, is due in July.

In fact, Ashley said that dealing with something as challenging as this with Michael actually strengthened their relationship. "Even though this was a traumatic time for our relationship, and it did rattle us a little bit, we did come back stronger together," she shared. "Now, had this happened before when Michael and I didn't have the best foundation, I can't exactly say how it would have played out, but we are so strong together, I know him, we've been through so much, and I feel just, I feel confident in the fact that this is the man that I love, I'm spending my life with, I want to father my children, and I know he's a fair and honest person. He always has been."