Correction: This article has been updated to reflect how QTCinderella attended Twitchcon on the last day of TwitchCon. City Times regrets the error.
During a meet and greet at this year’s TwitchCon, the popular Twitch streamer Emiru was forcefully grabbed by the face in what appeared to be an attempt to be kissed by a man who was able to walk past event security and cut the line.
The assault, as it was described by the influencer, happened in front of fans at the San Diego Convention Center, some of whom recorded the incident.
Emriu’s personal security pushed the assailant away, with no assistance from Twitch’s security or any attempt to detain or remove the assailant. According to witnesses and Emiru’s own account, Twitch security was nowhere to be found.
Can’t see the video? Click here.
The streaming platform, with 240 million monthly active users as of April 2025, hosts its yearly convention to promote itself to be an inclusive safe space that invites anyone to celebrate communities, according to TwitchCon’s official website.
Women on Twitch make up only 35% of users on the platform, according to a report by Co-op Board Games.
By contrast, at San Diego City College, the population of women makes up a little more than half of the campus, according to a San Diego Community College District report.
The San Diego Community College District has a resource guide on sexual harassment, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and other sex-based or gender-based misconduct. Read it here.
The incident with Emiru, whose name is Emily Schunk, showed a prominent issue in online streaming spaces – protecting creators and fans from sexism and misogyny – in real life.
A month before this year’s convention, streamers Rachell Hofstetter and Blaire, also known as Valkyrae and QTCinderella, talked on their podcast, Wine About It, regarding Japanese streamer, Airi Sato, getting stabbed and killed by a stalker while she was streaming.
Valkyrae and QTCinderella were unsure if they would go to TwitchCon this year because of what happened to Sato.
“I don’t think I’m being irrational about this,” said QTCinderella, who did attend on Sunday. “I feel very scared.”
Added Valkyrae: “It just takes one person.”
Ultimately, they did not end up attending TwitchCon this year.
At least two other female streamers interviewed at TwitchCon by City Times Media said they felt on edge due to concerns about safety. Emiru took that a step further following the incident.
“Thank god someone was filming because otherwise, I don’t think Twitch would have done anything,” she said in a stream a day following the incident. “I just feel like, in a way (talking about the situation), it’s my responsibility because it’s not just about me. Like this could have happened to anyone.”
Can’t see the video? Click here.
When contacted for an interview, Megan Kay, the senior communications manager for trust and safety at Twitch, referred City Times Media to a post made on X on Oct. 18.
“Twitch has zero tolerance for harassment or acts that inhibit the safety and security of our community,” the post read. “We immediately blocked this individual from returning to the TwitchCon premises, and they are banned indefinitely from Twitch, both online and in-person events.”
The claim was disputed by Emiru, who posted on X later the same day.
“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 wrote. “It felt like this only happened because of my manager pressing for it, not because TwitchCon staff present thought it was a big deal.”
When contacted for an interview, Emriu’s team did not respond in advance of this story’s publication.
Leslie Ann Fu, a gaming streamer also known as Fuslie, was frustrated by the apparent lack of safety measures taken for streamers like her.
“When they’re hyping up how safe (it is), and when they’re talking about how important security is, and then you see shit like that … it’s just more disappointing,” she said.
Fuslie said attending this year’s TwitchCon gave her space to connect and gather with her online community in person.
“TwitchCon is a good time, there’s a lot of positivity to come out,” Fuslie said. “But if this stuff happens, and it’s just like, actually, I don’t want to go.”
“I would just hate to see just less and less people go. So I hope big changes are made.” Fuslie said.
Despite the incident, others in the streaming community advocated for the safety of women and came together to support each other.
Host Alexander Gumuchian, also known by his influencer tag BBNO$, spotlighted Emiru at the opening of the CosPLAY show the day after the Oct. 17 incident.
Co-host William Neff, known as Willneff, got the crowd riled up for her.
“Make some noise for Emi right fucking now,” he said.
The host’s words, with Emiru taking the stage, were followed by the crowd standing up, applauding in support and cheering her name.
“I am still doing (the CosPLAY show) because of all the work that the production staff and the cosplayers put into it,” Emiru said. “It’s not their fault that happened.”
Women streamers also came together to share their voices during a community meetup on Oct. 19.
Women’s Twitch Guild member Linabobiina spoke about the education the group provides to create a trusted space for women on Twitch.
“There’s lots of seminars in the guild … teaching safety and what to do,” Linabobiina said. “Letting you know that if something happens, you aren’t alone and we have steps and resources to get you support.”
The Women’s Twitch Guild was made alongside other guilds like Twitch Black Guild and Twitch Pride Guild to give a space for people involved to grow and thrive on the platform, according to the Twitch website.
Emriu called for awareness of women’s safety at in-person events like TwitchCon, and announced she will not be returning for future cons.
“I’ve realized that sometimes if you don’t say something, no one else is going to,” she said. “Sometimes you have to be the one that steps up and starts the conversation.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
This story was edited by Tresean Osgood, David J. Bohnet and Nadia Lavin.
