I’ve worked in a company where one of the lower managers was a violent ar%ehol3, he frequently both abused and assaulted staff, management turned a blind eye as he was “an essential part of the team” aka one of the boys, my mate Steve etc.
HR had a very definite policy on abuse, but just didn’t listen to any complaints and paid up any claims brought by other staff.
I fell foul of the abuse, gave as good as I got (not violent – just verbal) and ended up in my managers office being told yes, he was wrong to attack you like that, but you know how he is…like its some sort of excuse.
Left their employ not much later, no tribunals involved, just voted with my feet.
In life, it's not who you know that's important, it's how your wife found out.