THREE women sued Harvard University yesterday, alleging that the prestigious United States institution ignored sexual harassment allegations against a prominent professor.

The plaintiffs, all doctoral students, claimed anthropology professor John Comaroff kissed and groped students without their consent and threatened to sabotage their careers if they complained.

Amulya Mandava, Lilia Kilburn and Margaret Czerwienski, in their civil case, said the 77-year-old man was allowed to get away with the alleged behavior for years.

“All three plaintiffs repeatedly complained to Harvard administrators,” said the suit filed in a Federal Court in Boston.

“But the university brushed them aside and opted to protect its star professor over vulnerable students.”

The suit said the women first approached Harvard staff about Comaroff almost five years ago.

Comaroff kissed Kilburn on the mouth without her consent, squeezed her thigh in public and told her she can be raped or killed in parts of Africa for being in a same-sex relationship, it alleged.

The suit said Kilburn was subjected to “a continuing nightmare that included more forced kissing, groping, persistent invitations to socialise alone off-campus, and coercive control”.

The claims against Comaroff were first detailed in the university’s newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, more than a year ago, according to the New York Times (NYT).

Comaroff was placed on administrative leave for this year’s spring semester after an investigation last month found that he engaged in verbal conduct that violated Harvard’s policies on harassment, it reported.

He was also barred from teaching required courses through the next academic year.

But Comaroff was not found responsible for unwanted sexual contact, said the paper.

The suit, which seeks unspecified damages, describes the measures as “limited, temporary sanctions”.

Harvard University’s media team did not respond to requests for comment from AFP.

Comaroff’s lawyers disputed the allegations against their client in a statement carried by the NYT.

“Professor Comaroff categorically denies ever harassing or retaliating against any student.” – AFP, February 9, 2022.