A lawsuit has been filed by several Harvard University students against the institution, accusing its management of ignoring the sexual harassment of them by a faculty member, Reuters reported.

The complaint, filed in federal court in Boston, Massachusetts, says the Harvard professor, John Comaroff, threatened them with future employment problems if they publicized his actions. The university, they claim, did not immediately take appropriate action against the teacher, allowing Comaroff to continue his abuse.

The management of the institution has refused to comment on the incident.

According to Reuters, Comaroff was placed on compulsory leave in January for violating the university's sexual harassment policy. His lawyers deny any allegations that he harassed or abused students.