Streamer Emily-Beth “Emiru” Schunk has released a statement criticizing the popular streaming platform Twitch following an assault at a TwitchCon meet and greet on October 17. This incident adds to a troubling pattern, as high-profile streamers—particularly women—have increasingly faced in-person stalking and harassment by viewers.
The alarming event was captured in a video shared by streamer shenAndygans on X (formerly Twitter). In the footage, a large man approaches Emiru, forcibly pulls her into a hug, and attempts to kiss her. Fortunately, a bodyguard Emiru personally hired for TwitchCon quickly intervened, pulling the man away and shoving him back into the crowd. The video ends with the man retreating without further incident.
Twitch responded earlier today with a statement, condemning the incident as “completely unacceptable and deeply upsetting.” The company confirmed it has banned the offending individual not only from TwitchCon but also from the Twitch platform and all future in-person events. Additionally, Twitch announced it would increase security measures at its meet and greets.
Despite Twitch’s response, Emiru expressed strong criticism of how the company handled the situation. In her own statement released several hours later, she disputed parts of Twitch’s official account. “I’m obviously shaken up by what happened and it’s not the first time I’ve dealt with something like this,” Emiru wrote. “But to tell you honestly, I am a lot more hurt and upset by how Twitch handled it during and after the fact.”
Emiru challenged Twitch’s claim that the individual was dealt with “immediately,” calling it a “blatant lie.” She pointed out that, as shown in the video, the man was able to walk away from the meet and greet without any intervention from event staff. “He was allowed to walk away from my meet and greet and I didn’t hear he was caught until hours after he attacked me,” she explained. “And it felt like this only happened because of my manager pressing for it, not because TwitchCon staff present thought it was a big deal.”
Emiru also revealed that she was not checked on by TwitchCon staff following the assault.
Further context was provided by streaming news account @Awk20000, which shared a video clip from before the incident in which Emiru said, “I kept my meet and greet because I wanted to keep my show.” It was explained that Emiru’s contract with TwitchCon prevented her from canceling the meet and greet due to security concerns without also canceling another event she had scheduled at the convention.
This incident is not isolated. In March, Emiru and fellow streamers Valkyrae and Cinna were stalked and harassed on camera during a livestreamed event, with the individual even issuing death threats. Last month, Dexerto reported that prominent streamers like Valkyrae, Pokimane, and QTCinderella publicly voiced reservations about attending TwitchCon due to anxiety over violent and obsessive viewers.
Given Twitch’s apparent failure to adequately prepare for these risks despite multiple warnings, coupled with Emiru’s pointed criticism, the company now faces significant pressure to implement meaningful changes. To regain trust and goodwill from some of its biggest streamers, Twitch will need to demonstrate a stronger commitment to safety and support at its events moving forward.
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/this-is-definitely-my-last-twitchcon-high-profile-streamer-emiru-was-assaulted-at-the-event-even-as-streamers-have-been-sounding-the-alarm-about-stalkers-and-harassment/