Taylor Lorenz’s Power User A Woman Streamer Was Assaulted, Is Twitch To Blame?
Oct 24, 2025
Kat Tenbarge, a journalist specializing in gender-based harassment, joins to dissect the assault on Twitch streamer Emiru at TwitchCon. They discuss the failure of venue security and why more guards don’t necessarily make women safer. The conversation highlights how platform culture fosters misogyny and the consequences of weaponizing incidents for political agendas. Tenbarge emphasizes the need for real changes in Twitch's approach to harassment and accountability, shedding light on the complexities surrounding safety for women creators online.
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Security Theater ≠ Real Safety
- Surveillance and 'security theater' at TwitchCon was extensive but did not equal actual safety for women.
- Taylor Lorenz argues cultural change is the root solution, not more cameras or wristbands.
Emiru Assault At TwitchCon
- Emiru was assaulted at her TwitchCon meet-and-greet and the attacker walked out and wasn't immediately restrained.
- Taylor says Emiru only learned the suspect was caught hours later and had to press charges herself.
Live Streams Became Surveillance Tools
- Twitch actively monitored hundreds of live streams and had a large surveillance center during the event.
- Kat Tenbarge notes that deputizing IRL streamers to surveil the venue often harms women more than it helps.