Streamer Maya Higa (24) took consequences from the big mud fight on Twitch and announced she would withdraw from all online platforms indefinitely. She made a final statement.
Content Warning: This article deals with sexual harassment and assault. If this topic causes you discomfort, it may be better not to read further.
What was the Twitch scandal? A discussion about gambling on Twitch turned into a scandal about sexual harassment last week.
Here’s the short version: Streamer “CrazySlick” allegedly stalked streamer Adrianah Lee at a party and touched her on the neck and chest while she was sleeping. However, Slick maintained that he was just checking to see if she was okay, having checked her pulse.
Meanwhile, several other women have come forward with allegations against Slick (via dotesports.com).
How does Maya fit into this? The streamer Matthew “Mizkif” Rinaudo, who is friends with Slick, sent his then-girlfriend Maya and his buddy, streamer Mitch Jones, to see Adrianah.
The two reportedly downplayed the incident and influenced Adrianah not to make the whole story public. Maya then made a statement. She said she merely encouraged Adrianah to clarify that it was not a rape (via Twitch).
In her statement, Maya also admitted that there could have been an unfair power dynamic between her and Adrianah since she was the larger streamer. That was not her intention and she regrets it.
Long before the current scandal, these streamers rose to fame.
Maya’s final statement: “I’m truly sorry”
What has happened now? On September 25, Maya published her “final statement” regarding the incidents on TwitLonger. In this statement, Maya referred to a leaked call that caused a lot of commotion on the night of September 22 to 23.
This is what Maya had to say: Maya explained that she and her intentions were misrepresented in the call. She did not have the opportunity to represent her side. Therefore, she now feels the need to speak out again.
However, Maya emphasized that she has no interest in “letting bombs drop” or “playing games”.
This is how it went from Maya’s perspective: Maya said she did not go to Adrianah’s house to force her to change her story or to cover up a sexual assault. Maya only wanted to find out the truth and helped Adrianah share her version of the story.
Maya reemphasized that it was never her intention for her status to influence Adrianah. She would never knowingly protect an abuser or threaten a victim. She strongly condemns Slick’s actions.
Additionally, Maya took the opportunity to publicly apologize to Adrianah – and to the other women who are said to have been harassed by Slick. She feels awful for being a part of it.
Farewell for an indefinite time
In her statement, Maya also announced her intention to withdraw from all social platforms indefinitely.
For Maya, who is active as a falconer and conservationist outside of Twitch, streaming has always merely been a means to an end. She wanted to build a platform and inform about conservation.
She thanked those who are still willing to support her platform. For the others, she has complete understanding.
It is unclear if and when Maya will return to streaming and whether she intends to continue her joint podcast with streamer QTCinderella.
As the only female member of the gaming organization One True King (OTK), which includes Mizkif, streamer Emily “Emiru” Schunk has commented on the allegations against her friends Mizkif and Slick. She criticized the handling of the issue of sexual harassment on Twitch.
Streamer Emiru criticizes handling of sexual harassment on Twitch: “It makes me sick”
