Additional Coverage:
- Twitch faces backlash after popular streamer Emiru says she was assaulted at TwitchCon (nbcnews.com)
TwitchCon Under Fire After Streamer Emiru Assaulted, Sparking Safety Concerns
San Diego, CA – TwitchCon, the annual convention for livestreaming enthusiasts, is facing intense scrutiny over its safety protocols after popular cosplayer Emiru was reportedly assaulted during a meet-and-greet on Friday. The incident has reignited long-standing fears among streamers and fans about security at in-person events.
Videos circulating online from the first day of the three-day San Diego convention show a man approaching streamer Emily-Beth Schunk, 27, known online as Emiru, and appearing to grab her face in an attempt to kiss her as she visibly tries to push him away. Her personal security guard quickly intervened, removing the man from the area.
Emiru, who boasts nearly 2 million followers on Twitch for her gaming, cosplay, and variety content, and is a co-owner of the gaming media production brand One True King, later criticized Twitch’s handling of the situation. In a statement on X, she asserted that the assailant “was allowed to cross multiple barriers at TwitchCon” and that TwitchCon security staff “did not react and let the guy walk away,” with only her personal guard stepping in.
The incident has resonated deeply within the streaming community, with many online viewing it as a validation of ongoing concerns regarding streamer safety, particularly at scheduled meet-and-greets where creators’ locations are known in advance. Some streamers have claimed to have canceled their meet-and-greets or even skipped this year’s TwitchCon due to these concerns, while others have pledged to boycott future conventions in solidarity with Emiru.
Critics online also highlighted a persistent culture of toxicity against women in gaming communities, including on platforms like Twitch, where female streamers frequently experience sexual harassment. Twitch has reportedly attempted to address such behavior in recent years.
In response to the backlash, Twitch issued a statement on X, announcing increased security at meet-and-greet check-in points, a ban on plus-ones, and additional security personnel around participating streamers. The platform also stated that law enforcement and event security “responded to the incident,” and that the individual was “immediately blocked” from returning to TwitchCon and indefinitely banned from Twitch.
However, Emiru refuted Twitch’s account, calling it “a blatant lie.” She stated that her assailant was not “immediately” caught or detained, and that she only learned of his apprehension hours later, seemingly due to her manager’s persistent efforts rather than TwitchCon staff’s initiative.
She also revealed in a video that her manager contacted police and she intends to press charges. According to Emiru, Twitch initially planned a 30-day suspension for the man before an indefinite ban was implemented after she pushed back.
The San Diego Police Department confirmed that a report was filed on Friday afternoon regarding a man grabbing a woman’s shoulders and attempting to kiss her at a TwitchCon meet-and-greet. A police spokesperson stated that “Security intervened and removed the male who fled the area,” and that while officers responded, no arrests have been made at this time.
This incident follows a period of heightened apprehension among prominent female streamers about safety at TwitchCon, especially after a Japanese streamer, Airi Sato, was fatally stabbed by a viewer earlier this year. Prior to this year’s convention, streamers like Valkyrae and QTCinderella canceled their live TwitchCon podcast recording, and Pokimane withdrew from the event, all citing safety concerns.
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy, addressing concerns prior to the convention, stated that Twitch takes event security “extremely seriously.” Following Friday’s assault, Valkyrae expressed her dismay on X, noting that “it’s awful that TwitchCon safety concerns were an issue even before the event but they still didn’t take it seriously.” Pokimane echoed this sentiment, hoping the incident would prompt Twitch to “finally take our concerns seriously.”
In an interview on Saturday, Clancy acknowledged that “there’s always more work to be done” regarding trust and safety, adding that “even if you do a lot in terms of security in today’s world, there are challenges that can present themselves, especially when someone is putting themselves out there.”