During the opening day of TwitchCon 2025, a significant incident involving popular streamer Emiru occurred on Friday, October 17. Emiru, who boasts nearly two million followers, experienced an assault during a scheduled meet-and-greet. A video shared on social media platform X captured the encounter, showing an individual approaching Emiru and attempting to engage in an inappropriate manner.
In the footage, the individual made a move to kiss Emiru, prompting her to push him away. Security swiftly intervened, escorting the person away. Reports indicate that despite the incident, Emiru returned to complete her commitments at the event, illustrating her resilience. The video of the incident, shared at 8:21 p.m. EST, quickly garnered close to 400,000 views.
Community Reaction and Twitch’s Response
The incident elicited strong reactions from the online community. One user condemned the behavior, emphasizing that such actions are utterly unacceptable and that Emiru deserves respect for her determination to continue with the meet-and-greet despite the disturbance. The original post has since become unavailable on X.
Twitch responded to the incident through a statement to Mashable, underscoring their commitment to the safety of attendees. According to a Twitch spokesperson, “The safety and security of all those attending TwitchCon is our highest priority.” They declared the behavior exhibited by the assailant as “completely unacceptable and deeply upsetting.” Consequently, the individual was permanently banned from Twitch, both online and at in-person events.
Ongoing Concerns for Streamers
Hours prior to the incident, Mary Kish, Twitch’s head of community, had addressed the issue of harassment at such events, particularly against women. She stated, “It’s important to educate all streamers about the pervasiveness of harassment.” Kish emphasized the need for a safe environment, indicating that safety measures are essential and have improved recently.
This assault is not an isolated case for TwitchCon. Previous years have seen criticism regarding attendee safety, notably with streamers Valkyrae and QTCinderella withdrawing from the event over concerns for their safety in public spaces. Twitch CEO Dan Clancy assured that safety protocols remain a priority, especially following incidents of harassment at events like TwitchCon 2024.
For Emiru, this incident marks her second high-profile harassment experience in recent months. Back in March, while livestreaming in Santa Monica, a man allegedly made threats against her and fellow streamers. Such repeated occurrences highlight a concerning trend within the streaming community.
Conclusion
The events at TwitchCon 2025 raise significant questions about attendee safety and underscore the need for ongoing measures to protect influencers in public settings. As the gaming community continues to grow, ensuring a safe environment for all participants remains crucial.
