Structural abuse and exploitation of PhD students

I completed my doctoral thesis at an institute in a small city in Germany. I prefer not to name the institution, as I am still formally employed there. Simply because there are few alternative positions in Germany that offer the same level of thematic relevance. I am academically excellent, and I know that. But what I experienced during my PhD was nothing short of structural abuse. I was made to work in the lab before having a contract, unpaid. When I dared to speak up, I was humiliated. I cried in the office. Every day. My supervisor, a full professor, repeatedly made racist remarks, both overt and subtle, and created an environment of pressure, silence, and fear. It was toxic. And because I wanted a good grade, because I had no choice, I tolerated it. I did not receive best grade, not because I lacked quality, but because I lacked publications, or so I was told. In reality, I was among the most competent researchers in that building. I carried the conceptual depth of our work. I had the thematic understanding. I had the overview. And I still do. It is only because I am extraordinarily resilient and frankly intellectually superior in many respects that I managed to stay. Now things have shifted. She does not dare anymore. She knows that I know. That I see through her. I am still there, and she cannot break me. Not anymore. But it breaks others. I have seen multiple doctoral candidates leave. Some in silence. Some in despair. Her strategy is always the same. Friendliness in the beginning. Praise, warmth, invitation. Then pressure. Then domination. Then collapse. I have watched it unfold too many times. It is so so sad. I do not wish her harm. But I do believe that departments like this should not be allowed to continue without scrutiny. I am ashamed to still be part of this structure. But I stay because I am a strong emancipated woman. I stay because I know more than she does. And I stay because I want to witness how long this old system can keep standing. Let us do something together against this abuse.