NEW YORK: On Tuesday, three women filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, alleging that the famed American university overlooked sexual harassment claims against a prominent professor.
The plaintiffs, who are all doctorate students, allege that anthropology professor John Comaroff kissed and touched them without their permission and threatened to ruin their careers if they reported.
In their civil lawsuit, Margaret Czerwienski, Lilia Kilburn, and Amulya Mandava claim that Comaroff, who is 77 years old, was permitted to get away with the alleged behaviour for years.
"All three plaintiffs repeatedly complained to Harvard administrators," said the suit filed in a Boston federal court.
"But the university brushed them aside and opted to protect its star professor over vulnerable students," it added.
According to the lawsuit, the ladies notified Harvard officials about Comaroff about five years ago.
Comaroff allegedly kissed Kilburn on the lips without her consent, gripped her thigh in public, and threatened her she could be raped or killed in parts of Africa because she was in a same-sex relationship, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit says Kilburn was subjected to "a continuing nightmare that included more forced kissing, groping, persistent invitations to socialize alone off-campus, and coercive control."
According to the New York Times, allegations against Comaroff were initially published in the university's newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, more than a year ago.
According to the New York Times, Comaroff was placed on administrative leave for the spring semester after an investigation last month determined that he participated in verbal conduct that violated Harvard's harassment regulations.
He was also prohibited from teaching compulsory courses for the remainder of the school year.
However, according to the publication, Comaroff was not found to be liable for unwelcome sexual contact.
The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, describes the measures as "limited, temporary sanctions."
The communications team at Harvard University did not respond to AFP's requests for comment.
In a statement published by the New York Times, Comaroff's lawyers refuted the claims levelled against him.
"Professor Comaroff categorically denies ever harassing or retaliating against any student," they said.