Austin McBroom sexually assaulted in Spider-Man costume
A viral livestream clip shows Austin McBroom accusing a woman of sexually assaulting him while he was dressed as Spider-Man, sparking a divided online debate over the incident's authenticity Austin Mcbroom Love/YouTube

Austin McBroom has claimed he was sexually assaulted during a livestream after an unexpected encounter while dressed in a Spider-Man costume left him visibly distressed. The influencer immediately reacted on camera, repeatedly saying, 'I just got violated,' as the clip spread rapidly across social media.

The viral footage has fuelled widespread discussion online, with many viewers expressing support for McBroom and arguing that the incident crossed a line. Others, however, questioned whether the moment was genuine or staged, prompting debate over what unfolded during the broadcast.

What Happened in the Viral Livestream Clip

The video begins innocuously, with McBroom, dressed in a Spider-Man costume, interacting with people around him. A woman then approaches him, saying, 'Hey Spider-Man,' before reaching out and grabbing his crotch, remarking, 'Ohhh it's big.'

McBroom's reaction is immediate. 'What the f**k was that?' he asks, visibly stunned, before turning to those nearby. 'You guys knew her?'

He continues pressing those around him for answers as the moment sinks in. 'Why everybody laughing? That s**t was not funny. I got violated,' he says.

McBroom then approaches one of his companions to retrieve his phone and asks whether the incident was captured on camera. 'I think so,' the companion replies.

'You just grabbed my s**t like that,' the YouTuber continues. 'Yeah, I just got violated. That was a full crime.'

Social Media Split Over Whether Incident Was Genuine

Reaction to the clip was sharply divided. Many commenters argued that the incident, if accurately depicted, amounted to sexual assault and criticised what they viewed as a double standard, suggesting the public response would have been very different had the genders been reversed.

'You see what a woman did? If it were a man who did that to an opposite gender, you'll have the cops down there in minutes putting him in cuffs,' one commented.

Another added, 'If the roles were reversed he [would] be cancelled and crucified right about now.'

Others questioned whether the clip was authentic, pointing out that the woman appeared to be recognisable from previous online content and speculating that the encounter may have been staged for views. One commenter claimed the woman was not a 'random' stranger.

Another questioned the allegation, writing that McBroom 'set that s**t up' and implying the woman was known to him.

What We Know About the Woman in the Viral Clip

"Some social media users have identified the woman as a Los Angeles-based content creator, though these claims remain unverified and she has not publicly commented. Separately, other users have speculated—without evidence—that McBroom and the woman may already know each other, suggesting the encounter could have been playful or scripted. Neither McBroom nor the woman has publicly confirmed or denied this, and none of these claims has been independently verified."

McBroom has not issued a further statement beyond his reaction during the livestream. It remains unclear whether the encounter was spontaneous, scripted or something else entirely.

As of publication, no law enforcement agency has confirmed receiving a complaint or opening an investigation into the incident, and McBroom has not indicated whether he plans to pursue legal action.