Twitch Faces Backlash Following Assault on Streamer Emiru and Ongoing Safety Concerns

Streaming platform Twitch is under renewed public and industry scrutiny following a disturbing incident involving popular streamer Emiru (Emily Schunk) at TwitchCon San Diego 2025, reigniting widespread criticism over the company’s safety practices, event management, and response to harassment both online and offline.

On October 17, 2025, during a scheduled meet-and-greet session, a male attendee breached multiple security barriers to approach Emiru. The individual was recorded on video grabbing her face and attempting to kiss her without consent. While Emiru’s personal bodyguard immediately intervened to prevent further harm, she later expressed concern that Twitch’s on-site security failed to act promptly and that the assailant remained inside the venue for several hours after the incident occurred.

am I the only one who seen him pull something out at 0:09 pic.twitter.com/Se5ogpGQsa

— Davidson N (@davidson00_1) October 18, 2025

In her public statement, Emiru said she did not feel protected despite hiring private security, and she emphasised that Twitch’s event staff failed to provide adequate post-incident assistance. Her remarks have since gone viral, sparking an industry-wide debate about creator safety and Twitch’s responsibility to protect its talent.

Twitch later released an official statement condemning the behaviour, claiming the individual was “immediately removed” from the venue, permanently banned from the platform and all future Twitch events, and that additional security measures had been implemented at meet-and-greet locations. “The safety and security of all those attending TwitchCon is our highest priority,” the company said.

However, many within the streaming community have disputed this account. Emiru herself called Twitch’s statement a “blatant lie,” saying she personally witnessed the alleged assailant still present at the convention hours after the assault. Numerous creators echoed her concerns, criticising Twitch for taking reactive rather than preventative measures and accusing the company of prioritising public relations over genuine accountability.

This incident is not an isolated case but part of a long-standing pattern of safety and harassment issues that have affected creators on Twitch for years. Female streamers and members of underrepresented communities have repeatedly raised alarms about stalking, doxxing, hate raids, and harassment both on the platform and at official events.

Studies on Twitch’s moderation systems have found significant gaps in automated content filtering, with many forms of harassment going undetected when they do not rely on explicit slurs. These persistent failures have intensified demands for systemic reform, with creators calling for improved human oversight, stricter venue security standards, and transparent public reporting of safety-related incidents.

Beyond immediate safety concerns, the implications of this event are extensive. As Twitch continues to position TwitchCon and other in-person events as essential pillars of its creator engagement strategy, the perception of risk may lead many influencers to limit appearances or reconsider their involvement altogether. This could impact community-building efforts and alter the relationship between Twitch and its content creators.

Industry observers argue that the platform must take concrete steps to rebuild trust. These include publishing transparent safety reports, offering mental health and legal support for affected creators, granting creators more control over event participation conditions, and investing in specialised staff training for harassment response and crisis management.

With the public spotlight now squarely focused on its conduct, Twitch faces growing pressure to transform policy into practice and to prove that its commitment to safety extends beyond statements and hashtags. For many creators, this moment represents a defining test of whether the company truly values their wellbeing, or merely their visibility.

What measures do you think Twitch should implement to better protect creators and rebuild trust within its community? Share your thoughts below.