TwitchCon San Diego raises the question: Should TwitchCon be shut down?
Content Warning: This article mentions sexual harassment and assault that individuals experienced at TwitchCon San Diego. If you have suffered from any of the issues discussed in this article and are seeking help, please visit the Survivors Trust website to access the available helplines.
After yet another TwitchCon defined by assault, security issues, and harassment, many streamers and viewers alike are questioning whether TwitchCon should even continue.
Spearheading the debate is the fact that one of Twitch’s most popular streamers in attendance, Emily Beth ‘Emiru’ Schunk, was assaulted at her meet and greet event.
Should TwitchCon be shut down? Summarising the overarching issues at San Diego
Several incidents have re-raised the question of whether TwitchCon should continue to run in its current state.
These incidents include assault, harassment, and discrimination.
The three incidents described in this article do not cover every issue experienced at TwitchCon San Diego that has emerged online. However, each provides an example of pervasive issues impacting streamer and attendee safety.
Emiru assaulted at TwitchCon meet and greet event
The most prominent incident was Emiru’s assault at TwitchCon, which occurred amid critical concern for streamer safety.
A man assaulted Emiru, a prominent streamer on the platform, at her meet and greet event. He was able to bypass queues and ropes to reach her, grab her body and face, and try to kiss her.
Emiru confirmed that she is pressing charges against the individual.
She also stated that “none of the TwitchCon staff came to ask what happened or if I was ok,” and, “he was allowed to walk away from my meet and greet and I didn’t hear he was caught until hour after he attacked me.”
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy has received additional backlash for the handling of the incident after stating in an interview, “I do think that when you’re livestreaming, in many ways you can control your community.”
Immediately, viewers identified this as partially shifting blame to Emiru. As a result, some have called for his removal.
Harassment and objectification of women by streamer N3on
Multiple streamers, particularly women, have also reported harassment and sexist comments from other male streamers.
Streamer N3on was called out online for inappropriate behaviour. He approached fellow content creator Emerome, requested that she attend his afterparty, and when asked why the invite was extended, he said, “because you’re beautiful.”
In response, the woman sarcastically said, “I love being objectified,” and walked away from the conversation with her friend, V-Tuber PastaroniRavioli. N3on appeared agitated, and shouted “it’s always the fat ones bro” after PastaroniRavioli.
He then continued to say “How is a girl going to say she’s getting objectified with her tits out.”
After the event, N3on posted online claiming that Emerome is “a cam girl with vids of d*ldos in her a**.” Following this, Emerome was forced to address his comment, admitting she was groomed and trafficked at the age of 17 and 18.
Esports News UK has reached out to representatives of N3on for comment on the interaction.
Other similar incidents, including a streamer rating women he met based on whether he would have sex with them or not (without the knowledge or consent of the women involved) have prompted calls for livestreaming in-venue to be banned. Concerns have also been raised about covert recording using Meta Glasses.
Medical Discrimination from TwitchCon staff over bag policy
Alongside issues with harassment and assault, some attendees faced discrimination due to TwitchCon’s inconsistent enforcement of bag policy.
Two attendees, both diagnosed with Type One Diabetes, were both forced to fight for their rights to keep bags for medical supplies. One of these individuals was forced to check their bag, separating them from essential medical supplies.
Type One Diabetes is a life long autoimmune condition that can be life threatening during low or high blood sugar episodes. Those with Type One Diabetes often experience complications and have unique treatement and equipment.
For example, those with Type One Diabetes often have different types of Insulin, or different reactions to carbohydrate.
One of the individuals affected stated they experfience low blood sugar (fatal if untreated) 3-5 times a day. This leads to different needs compared to another individual with the same diagnosis.
Therefore, they cannot rely on treatment from other sources, and must have their own medication, equipment, and treatment with them at all times.
As a result, attempts to prevent the transportation of these items is a direct threat to their health.
Type One Diabetes is covered under the American Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations must be made for Diabetics under this Act, which TwitchCon San Diago staff may have breached.
History is doomed to repeat itself – San Diego echoes issues at Rotterdam and beyond
The list of issues at TwitchCon San Diego is long and troubling. However, these issues are not unique to TwitchCon San Diego.
In June 2025, harassment at TwitchCon Rotterdam ran rampant. There were multiple reports of female creators being catcalled, groped, harassed, and stalked.
TwitchCon also has a long history of attending streamers, particularly from rival platform, Kick, harassing other streamers for content. In 2024, UK streamer DBR666 faced a temporary ban by Kick for inappropriate sexual behaviour at TwitchCon.
Even as far back as 2022, streamers faced issues ensuring their safety.
One streamer, Bx, discussed online in the wake of San Diego 2025 how in 2022, TwitchCon never responded to her concerns about a stalker that confessed on a livestream they wre planning to harm her at the event.
The future of TwitchCon – the streamer exodus continues
Multiple streamers have come forward in recent years to confirm they will no longer be attending TwitchCon events.
Most recently, Emiru has confirmed she will not be returning to TwitchCon following her meet and greet experience.
She joins the likes of QTCinderella and Valkyrae, who both publicly stated they would not be attending TwitchCon San Diego due to security concerns before the event.
Additionally, Emerome and PastaRavioli, who were involved in the interaction with N3on, couldn’t attend day three of TwitchCon. This was due to security concerns. Although unconfirmed, this is likely due to alleged death threats from members of N3on’s community.
With many streamers feeling too unsafe to attend, the future of TwitchCon is cast in doubt.
An attentive, empathetic, and sincere approach from Twitch is likely the only way to ensure the event’s continuation.
If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in this article and need to reach out for help, please visit The Survivors Trust. On their website, you can find links and phone numbers for major charities and organisations supporting sexual harassment and sexual assault survivors.
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