A University of California, Berkeley professor who is the subject of three sexual harassment complaints has filed lawsuits against the women he is accused of victimizing, an unusual step that the students say will not deter them from speaking out.
Blake Wentworth, assistant professor of south and south-east Asian studies, has accused the women of defamation and “intentional infliction of emotional distress”, with new lawsuits filed nearly a year after university investigators concluded that he had violated sexual harassment policies.
Wentworth was at the center of multiple Guardian stories on the ongoing sexual misconduct scandals that have plagued the prestigious public university and sparked national debates about harassment and discrimination on college campuses.
The women facing the defamation charges, filed last week, are two current graduate students and a former undergraduate who all worked and studied in his department. They went public with their harassment cases this year after lodging discrimination complaints with the state that accused him of inappropriate touching and unwanted sexual advances.
In legal filings and lengthy interviews, the students described the ways in which the inappropriate comments and actions of the tenure-track professor derailed their studies and careers and negatively affected their mental health. Critics argue that men in powerful positions at UC Berkeley have repeatedly avoided consequences for harassment and only lost their positions after negative media coverage.
Wentworth’s lawsuits claim that the women made “false statements” in their complaints and to the Guardian, and say they acted “in an outrageous manner and beyond the bounds of decency tolerated in a civilized society”.
“We see this as him threatening us into silence,” Kathleen Gutierrez, one of his grad student accusers, said in an interview on Wednesday. “We’re not backing down … The lawsuit is part of a long line of harassment.”
She added, “It’s absolutely shameful to see a professor and teacher pull this kind of ploy against students.”
Gutierrez, 28, accused Wentworth of grabbing her hand and saying, “I could lose my job over this … but I’m just so attracted to you.” He also allegedly came up behind her and wrapped his hands around her head and ear and made offensive comments about visiting a strip club.
The university determined in October 2015 that he had made “unwelcome sexual advances” toward her and violated policies. But the review of the case has dragged on for nearly a year, and final determinations of his discipline are still pending, according to a university spokesperson.
He is not currently teaching classes and remains on paid leave.
Erin Bennett, 26, alleged that Wentworth made inappropriate comments about sex during their one-on-one independent study course in her first semester of graduate school. The professor is also accused of touching her hands and shoulders, referencing “things he would do if Ms Bennett were his wife”, and calling her his “poor little lamb”.
In Bennett’s case, university investigators concluded that his conduct was “unprofessional” and that he “exhibited poor personal boundaries”, but did not constitute sexual harassment. The decision devastated her and resulted in her taking a leave of absence.
Bennett returned to campus this semester and has been working to resume her graduate education.
“I feel like I finally got back on my feet and am able to be successful,” she said in an interview. “To receive this lawsuit … it’s really discouraging. It’s this classic ‘blame the victim’ situation. It’s a further abuse of power.”
The third student, 24-year-old Nicole Hemenway, had Wentworth as her undergraduate thesis adviser. She accused him of repeatedly calling her “honey” and “honey bear” and suggesting that he wanted to pursue a romantic relationship with her when she graduated.
On Wednesday, Hemenway said she would continue to speak out and would not let the lawsuit intimidate her. But she also acknowledged that her case and the ensuing suits have made it virtually impossible for her to continue in the field of south Asian studies where Wentworth is well known and has many connections.
“This is a barrier to entry that I never knew existed,” she said, noting that the process of constantly explaining herself to professional contacts has been draining. “Having so many obstacles put in front of you that you have to deal with, you just don’t even want to play the game.”
In the new lawsuits – which also name the Oakland Law Collaborative attorneys who have represented the women – Wentworth noted that he has “distinguished academic credentials” and “rates highly on published student evaluations”.
He further claimed that “academics across the country have decried misguided reforms which allow for the destruction of careers through false, distorted, and/or exaggerated claims”.
Although more survivors of sexual violence have been speaking out about colleges failing to support them, professors like Wentworth have also increasingly argued that universities aren’t treating them fairly.
At UC Berkeley, the former law dean found to have sexually harassed his executive assistant, recently sued the school for discrimination.
Arabelle Malinis, Oakland Law Collaborative attorney, criticized the university for failing to complete its review of Wentworth. “Because the process has been so slow … it allowed him to do this.”
She added, “This is retraumatizing them.”
Wentworth and his attorney did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.