The recent dismissal of the case in the courts was possibly a correct call. What this does not dismiss, however, is that the words were said — to women. To a friend. And the message that this dismissal and subsequent high-fiving and political fist-pumping sends is disturbing.

No, I don’t agree with the logic of the magistrate nor the defence attorney. The statements came out of a man’s mouth and were directed at a woman. I don’t give a flying fig about the setting. They were vile and offensive and should have never left his lips, let alone been in his thoughts.

The accused, the defence attorney, the magistrate — all men. The win was one for patriarchy and misogyny.

If you want to look at it as a political win, then yes, the spewer of several unnecessarily unkind statements can chalk another up one for the team. I sincerely wonder how overjoyed the dedicated political followers would be if those same statements were directed at your grandmother, mother, sister, wife or friend.

In Bermuda, where sexual, physical and verbal assaults against women are a national pastime, we can ill-afford our politicians making comments laced with sexual innuendo and walking away from it all without even an apology — an apology not only to Ms Daniels but to other women within earshot and the women of Bermuda.

That apology shouldn’t have be court-directed; it should come naturally because of his upbringing and realising that, although not criminal, the statements were wrong.

Thank you, Cindy Clarke, for your efforts in this case and, to Toni, keep your head up and know that you are a beautiful spirit inside and out. You are a natural target because they (men) know you can do their job better. One day, we will!

Bermuda must be better and do better.

• Shari-Lynn Pringle consented to the use of her Facebook post in the wake of the court case brought against Marc Bean, the Leader of the Opposition