Image Via Emiru’s Instagram
TwitchCon San Diego 2025 has come under intense scrutiny after popular Twitch streamer Emiru (Emily Schunk) was assaulted during a meet-and-greet session. A male attendee was seen approaching the 27-year-old on stage and appearing to kiss her neck without consent. The disturbing incident, caught on video, sparked widespread outrage online, with fans and streamers demanding accountability from Twitch and calling for TwitchCon to be shut down.TwitchCon backlash grows after streamer Emiru assault in San Diego sparks outrage onlineThe shocking incident has prompted massive backlash across social media, where many criticized Twitch’s handling of security and called for major changes. One user wrote, “SHAME ON TWITCH. This shit is one of the many reasons I didn’t attend this year. Their security is a JOKE. And the fact that they lied in their statement to save face over how they handled things.” Another user added, “Streamers and Vtubers NEED to get away from Twitch and DO NOT go to TwitchCon. It will be unsafe and Twitch do not care about your safety or well being.” Additional reactions poured in from fans across social media, with many criticizing Twitch’s security and handling of the incident, saying, “Dude TwitchCon is such a joke. I’m glad so many people shunned it this year because what happened to Emiru is crazy. What kind of security let someone just run and skip past everyone wtf obviously they have bad intentions then???? Hello? Twitch has such horrible people running it.” The collective outrage has fueled growing calls to shut down TwitchCon entirely, with users demanding a full security overhaul before any future events.Twitch responds amid growing backlash and calls for accountability after Emiru assaultFollowing the incident, Twitch issued a statement condemning the behavior and confirming that the assailant had been permanently banned from the platform and event premises. The company stated that it had increased security at all meet-and-greet areas and would not allow +1s for the rest of the event. Despite these measures, the response was met with skepticism. Many accused Twitch of failing to protect its creators, noting previous reports of harassment and stalking cases involving streamers like Emiru.As the backlash continues, Twitch faces growing pressure to rebuild trust with its creator community. Fans and streamers alike are demanding transparency, better safety measures, and accountability from event organizers. For many, the attack on Emiru represents more than a single lapse, it highlights the ongoing safety issues that Twitch must address before hosting another public event.