A Critical Discourse Analysis of Sexual Harassment Incident Posts and Public Perception

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Precious Palm G. Malate, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow
Alyssaline M. Pagal, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow

Document Types

Paper Presentation

School Name

De La Salle University, Manila

Track or Strand

Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Magahis, Henry Leen, A.

Start Date

25-6-2025 10:30 AM

End Date

25-6-2025 12:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

https://zoom.us/j/91208349700?pwd=JhQ0rZs2W818dhB0KzB4iz3GFM82yf.1 / Passcode: GHI25

Abstract/Executive Summary

Motorcycle ride-hailing gained popularity among commuters due to its practicality, affordability, and convenience. Despite the rise of this service and growing concerns over passenger safety, limited research has focused on the passenger's safety, particularly incidents of sexual harassment. This study employs Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine seven public narratives and discourse on Facebook from the years 2022-2025 surrounding reported cases of harassment within the motorcycle ride-hailing context. It analyzes both the original posts recounting harassment experiences and the comment sections that follow, with the aim of identifying recurring patterns of abuse, the framing strategies employed by victims and their supporters, and the public’s reactions to these disclosures. Among the seven analyzed cases, five involved verbal harassment, one involved physical harassment, and one pertained to inappropriate messages via text, although one case included both verbal and physical abuse. The victim narratives varied in tone, ranging from urgent warnings and calls for awareness to sarcastic or darkly humorous storytelling, each shaping the nature of audience engagement in different ways. Public responses in the comment sections revealed a polarized discourse: some expressed support for the victims and demanded accountability, while others downplayed or even ridiculed the incidents, normalizing the behavior or casting doubt on the victims’ credibility. These findings highlight the complex social dynamics surrounding online disclosures of sexual harassment and emphasize the urgent need for stricter enforcement of Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) regulations, improved reporting and accountability mechanisms, and comprehensive public education campaigns to combat harassment in the motorcycle ride-hailing industry.

Keywords

Sexual Harassment; Motorcycle Ride-Hailing; Public Discourse; Critical Discourse Analysis; Social Media Narratives

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Gender, Human Development, and the Individual (GHI)

Initial Consent for Publication

yes

Statement of Originality

yes