Twitch has issued a statement following the alarming altercation that took place while streamers Valkyrae, Emiru, and Cinna were live-streaming from Santa Monica Pier. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of IRL (In Real Life) streaming, not just on Twitch but across all live-streaming platforms.
The Incident at Santa Monica Pier
On March 2, during a collaborative streaming marathon, Valkyrae, Emiru, and Cinna visited Santa Monica Pier, where they encountered an aggressive individual. Initially posing as a fan, the man quickly escalated his behavior, persistently demanding a phone number from one of the women. As the stream continued, his behavior became increasingly erratic and threatening, culminating in him chasing them while making violent threats, including claims that he would “kill them right now.”
Twitch’s Response
More than a week after the unsettling encounter, Twitch has publicly responded. In a statement to Rolling Stone, a Twitch representative expressed that the company is “horrified” by the harassment and threats that their streamers endure, whether online or in real life. The statement continued, emphasizing that Twitch “cares deeply” about its content creators and is committed to providing support. The company also confirmed that its internal safety teams are investigating the matter, though the representative did not specify whether Twitch had personally reached out to Valkyrae, Emiru, or Cinna following the incident.
The Growing Concerns Around IRL Streaming
This incident is just one of many instances where streamers have been put in harm’s way, either while broadcasting IRL content or even within their own homes. The rise of “stream sniping,” where viewers track a streamer’s real-time location and confront them in person, has been an ongoing safety issue. Additionally, high-profile swatting cases—where malicious individuals call in false emergency reports to dispatch armed police to a streamer’s home—have resulted in serious injuries and, in some cases, fatalities.
Unfortunately, attacks on IRL streamers are becoming more frequent, with some even being physically assaulted or worse while filming. This has led to calls from both the streaming community and viewers for platforms like Twitch to implement stronger safety measures and resources for content creators engaging in real-world broadcasting.
Valkyrae’s Commitment to Justice
In response to the attack, Valkyrae has vowed to do everything in her power to ensure that the perpetrator is caught and held accountable. Since the suspect’s face was captured on-stream, authorities may already have leads on his identity. However, the three streamers and their audience remain on edge until an arrest is made. Valkyrae has also encouraged anyone with information on the suspect to step forward and assist law enforcement in their investigation.
The incident serves as yet another stark reminder of the risks associated with live-streaming in public spaces. As the debate on streamer safety continues, many are urging Twitch and other platforms to implement better protections for their creators in both digital and physical environments.
