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WORLAND – In the wake of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s taped remarks, bragging of groping women and using descriptive terms for female genitalia and stating it was just ‘locker room talk,’ prominent Wyoming Republicans stood by the candidate early this week, declaring party loyalty, while a local victims advocate expressed concern.

Max D’Onofrio, press secretary for Senator Mike Enzi, told the Daily News that, “Senator Enzi does not condone nor approve of Donald Trump’s remarks. The comments released in the 11-year-old video are clearly offensive and inappropriate. Mr. Trump was quick to apologize and he now has the opportunity to prove that these remarks are not indicative of his behavior.  

“The choice in November is still the same, however, and the American people are going to have to make it. Senator Enzi does not want four more years of failed Obama policies that are severely hurting Wyoming and this country. He also does not want a Supreme Court that will ignore for years to come the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution. This is what electing Hillary Clinton will bring.”

Governor Matt Mead stated on is Facebook page that he was disappointed in Trump’s statements, but did not disavow the candidate.

When asked for a response by the Daily News, Liz Cheney, Republican primary winner and candidate for the sole at-large House seat being vacated by Cynthia Lummis, responded, “There is no question that Donald Trump would be far better for Wyoming than Hillary Clinton. She would devastate our energy industry, name Supreme Court justices who will fail to uphold the Second Amendment, and expand the unconstitutional authority and control of federal agencies like the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). She is a felon who has repeatedly put her self-interest above the national security interest of the nation. Trump’s comments were appalling. Hillary’s actions have been far worse. I will be voting for Donald Trump. A vote for anyone other than Trump is a vote for Hillary.”

A sexual assault issue

“This is obviously a politically charged argument, but the question here isn’t politics,” said Washakie County Victims and Witness Coordinator Bob Vines, former editor of the Daily News. “This is a question of appropriateness. You can try to explain it away for political reasons, but sexual assault isn’t a political issue.”

Working with victims of assault, sexual assault, and domestic violence on a daily basis for the district court system, Vines sees the enabling of sexually aggressive behavior and language as a gateway to bigger problems, especially with youth.

‘When you hear people arguing to defend this type of thing, it’s really not focused,” said Vines. “What we need to is change the way we view this ‘locker room talk’, in general. Today, it’s a bit different than it has been [in the past] because now the locker room has become social media and comes with a cell phone and Snapchat.”

In order to combat socially irresponsible behavior in young people, Vines has been helping implement the Coaching Boys into Men program in Washakie County and across the state. Using athletic coaches as mentors and teachers, the program teaches responsible attitudes and respectful roles to student athletes to not only stem socially aggressive behavior, but to provide a generation that will stand up to aggressors.

“It’s important that we teach bystander intervention to young men today,” said Vines. “It’s OK for you to call it when you see it and stop rude behavior. That’s how we start to change.”

So far, the Coaching Boys into Men program has trained 22, and has started programs in Lovell and Worland. With the help of a recent grant from Verizon, Vines says the program will be able to expand into other districts.

“It’s a double-edged sword when kids and adults alike hear this kind of talk,” said Vines. “They know it’s wrong, but sometimes it’s easier to go along. But it’s never right.”