Hi Natalie, It sounds like you had a horrible experience but it sounds like academia as they like to sweep such problems under the carpet and pretend problem sueprvisors don't exist and say such annoying things like "They get away with it due to their position/personality!" which is really unfair. If you made an official complaint surely they would have to investigate it but then depending on the influence or status of supervisor they may get in the way of your career prospects as you know how small academia is! But then again if your supervisor is well known for their behaviour then they might disregard what he says. You never know - it's a tricky situation and a horrible one to be in! Anyway you survived it which makes you a stronger person and you'll know how to deal with such characters in the future! ;-)