OSU Beavers football player arrested, faces multiple domestic violence charges – KPTV

Incident Report: Domestic Violence Allegations at Oregon State University and Linkages to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

A student-athlete at Oregon State University, Exodus Ayers, was arrested and faces 18 charges related to domestic violence against a fellow student. The alleged acts occurred between October 2024 and May 2025. This case directly intersects with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), highlighting the critical need to address violence against women and ensure institutional accountability within educational settings.

2.0 Details of the Case

2.1 Subject Information

• Name: Exodus Ayers
• Affiliation: Oregon State University
• Role: Sophomore Defensive Back, Football Program

2.2 Chronology of Events

1. October 2024 – May 2025: Period of alleged repeated abuse against an ex-girlfriend.
2. September 2, 2025: The abuse was formally reported to law enforcement.
3. Date of Arrest: Monday (specific date not provided in source). Ayers was booked into the Benton County Jail.

2.3 Formal Charges Filed

According to Benton County Court documents, the 18 charges filed against Mr. Ayers include:

• Coercion: 2 counts (Felony)
• Strangulation: 1 count (Felony)
• Unlawful Dissemination of an Intimate Image: 7 counts
• Harassment: 4 counts
• Fourth-Degree Assault: 3 counts
• Third-Degree Criminal Mischief: 1 count

3.0 Analysis of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Implications

3.1 SDG 5: Gender Equality

This case is a stark illustration of the challenges in achieving Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.” The allegations of physical assault, strangulation, harassment, and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images represent severe forms of gender-based violence intended to control, intimidate, and harm the victim.

3.2 SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The incident underscores the importance of Target 16.3, which aims to “promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.”

• Access to Justice: The victim’s engagement with law enforcement and the subsequent legal charges represent a critical step in accessing the formal justice system.
• Institutional Accountability: The victim’s claim of having previously reported concerns to the university’s football program coaches with no apparent change raises questions regarding Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The university’s official response indicates it is now formally addressing the matter.

3.3 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The alleged abuse directly contravenes the objectives of SDG 3. The charges of assault and strangulation point to severe risks to the victim’s physical health. Furthermore, the alleged acts of coercion, harassment, and public dissemination of private images are profoundly detrimental to mental and emotional well-being, conflicting with Target 3.4 to “promote mental health and well-being.”

3.4 SDG 4: Quality Education

Incidents of violence within an academic community undermine the foundation of a safe learning environment, a prerequisite for achieving SDG 4. Ensuring student safety from physical and psychological harm is essential for providing inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

4.0 Institutional Response

An Oregon State University representative issued a statement confirming awareness of the charges. The university stated it is “gathering information and is addressing this with the seriousness and care that it warrants.” The effectiveness of this response will be critical in demonstrating the institution’s commitment to upholding the principles of safety, justice, and well-being central to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This goal is central to the article, which details a case of domestic violence against a woman by her ex-boyfriend. The issues of physical assault, strangulation, coercion, and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images are all forms of gender-based violence that this SDG aims to eliminate.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article connects to this goal through its focus on violence, the justice system’s response, and the role of institutions. The arrest of the perpetrator and the filing of 18 charges represent the justice process. Furthermore, the victim’s initial report to the football program coaches and their perceived lack of action touches upon the responsibility of institutions to address violence and provide effective responses.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is relevant due to the severe physical and psychological harm caused by domestic violence. The article describes acts of physical abuse, including “Fourth-Degree Assault” and “strangulation,” which directly threaten physical health. The experience of “harassment,” “coercion,” and having intimate images shared without consent would also have a profound negative impact on the victim’s mental health and well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

  The article directly addresses this target. The “repeated abuse by Ayers of an ex-girlfriend” occurred in a private, intimate partner relationship. The specific charges of “Strangulation,” “Harassment,” and “Fourth-Degree Assault” are forms of physical and psychological violence. The charge of “Unlawful Dissemination of an Intimate Image” is a clear example of sexual exploitation.

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

  This target is relevant as the article describes a specific case of interpersonal violence. The charges of assault, strangulation, and harassment are all forms of violence that this target seeks to reduce. The involvement of law enforcement and the legal system is a mechanism intended to address and deter such violence.

• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

  The article illustrates this target in action. The victim accessed the justice system when “The abuse was reported to police Sept 2, 2025.” The subsequent investigation, which included evidence from “Neighbors’ doorbell cameras,” and the arrest and booking of Exodus Ayers on “18 total charges” demonstrate the process of applying the rule of law to provide justice for a victim of violence.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age.

  The article provides a qualitative example that would contribute to the data for this indicator. It describes a woman, a “fellow student,” who was subjected to physical violence (“assault,” “grabbing her by the throat”), sexual violence (“sexually explicit videos… posted on social media… without her consent”), and psychological violence (“coercion,” “harassment,” “extremely possessive”) by a former intimate partner within a specific timeframe (“October 2024 to May 2025”).

• Indicator 16.1.3: Proportion of population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence in the previous 12 months.

  Similar to the indicator above, the victim’s experience as detailed in the court documents—facing physical abuse “almost every time” she visited, along with harassment and the non-consensual sharing of images—is a direct instance of what this indicator measures. The police report and court filings are official records of such violence.

• Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.

  This indicator is explicitly referenced in the article. The text states, “The abuse was reported to police Sept 2, 2025.” This action of the victim reporting the crime to law enforcement is precisely what this indicator is designed to measure, tracking access to and trust in the justice system.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kptv.com