EXCLUSIVE
An esteemed multimillionaire philosophy professor who died while facing sexual assault allegations struck a $20,000-a-month deal with a sex worker that required her to call him “Daddy.”
Dr. John Forge, 77, plunged to his death in Cataract Gorge, Launceston, on May 2 this year, just hours after being visited by a detective over allegations he sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman in her 30s between 2019 and 2022.
The death of the Oxford University alumnus has sent shockwaves through Australian academic circles, where Dr Forge – an honorary professor at the University of Sydney – was a respected researcher who devoted his life to studying human morality and ethics.
Now new details have emerged about the award-winning philosopher’s secret life of debauchery and his ‘creepy’ obsession with his alleged victim.
Skylar Silverstein, a sex worker from Melbourne, was employed by Dr. from January to October last year. Forge.
During that time he lived between Sydney and Launceston and would fly her to both cities to see him.
“We got on well and decided to make an arrangement where I would see him a certain number of times a month,” she told Daily Mail Australia.
“I was given a generous monthly stipend of $20,000 plus exotic vacations.
The respected philosophy professor Dr. John Forge (pictured) died last month amid allegations he sexually abused a vulnerable woman for three years
‘He took me to all the fancy restaurants and showered me with expensive gifts. We drank the best champagnes and wines. He bought me designer items and a luxury spa.
“We shared a lot of personal details. I really felt like I knew him even at that time. We spoke on the phone every day.”
But despite public appearances, Dr. Forge a wild side – and some very unusual fetishes.
‘He was extremely kinky. “The agreement was for me to call him ‘Daddy John’ and he wanted me tied up and gagged,” Ms. Silverstein said.
“He was engaging in illegal drug use even at the age of 77!”
“I have an OnlyFans account and he helped me with the content. His voice is in a couple of videos.”
Last month, Ms. Silverstein was shocked to receive a call informing her of his death and the surrounding circumstances.
Only then did she realize that some of the seemingly innocent conversations she had with Dr. Forge were, in retrospect, exceptionally “creepy.”
Ms. Silverstein was employed by Dr. between January and October last year. Forge
A letter that Dr. Forge wrote to Ms. Silverstein, explaining aspects of their agreement
‘In the settlement he talked about her [his alleged victim] a lot of. It was strange,” she said.
‘He said he loved her… [but] it was a sick love. He was [allegedly] stalk her.
‘He took advantage of the vulnerable.
“It makes me sick.”
Dr. Forge, who was appointed honorary professor at the University of Sydney in the early 2000s, focused his research on the moral responsibilities of scientists, particularly in the use and development of weapons.
His impressive list of tertiary achievements included studies at several prestigious institutions including Oxford, Cornell and University College London.
In addition to the Eureka Prize, his book, The Responsible Scientist: A Philosophical Inquiry, won him the David Harold Tribe Philosophy Award in 2009.
He has also appeared in interviews on ABC programs including Late Night Live and The Philosopher’s Zone.
Sexual abuse detectives visited Dr. Forge at his home on May 2 at approximately 1:30 p.m. and asked him to come to the police station to give a statement about the allegations.
The alleged victim’s mother told Daily Mail Australia the detective called her at 3pm and told her she had visited the property.
But later that evening, the detective called back to inform her that Dr. Forge had been found dead by a member of the public in Cataract Gorge.
“It took a lot of courage to go to the police and give her statement,” the alleged victim’s mother said.
Dr. Forge paid Ms. Silverstein $20,000 a month as part of their arrangement
Pictured: Cataract Gorge in Launceston, where Dr Forge was found dead last month
‘She [the alleged victim] has a strong sense of justice.
“She said to me, ‘He’ll never have his day in court. He will never have to pay for what he has [allegedly] finished.”‘
According to his website, Dr. Forge morality as ‘the way in which moral persons should behave towards others’ and he claimed that ‘the unnecessary and needless causing of harm is moral injustice’.
Ms. Silverstein said Dr. Forge was proud of his reputation and was adept at hiding his true self.
“He seemed charming, he was respected academically in different circles, he was an author, he wrote so many books. Beneath that appearance was him [an alleged] “A predator,” she said.
‘It’s ironic that he wrote a book about the morality of guns, but still: where was his moral obligation to this girl?
“I need to go to therapy because the person I thought I knew wasn’t that person.”
These new revelations come after Daily Mail Australia revealed that Dr. Forge was the subject of sexual abuse allegations at the time of his death.
His profile on the University of Sydney website has since been removed.
On Tuesday, a University of Sydney spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the educator was concerned about the allegations against Dr Forge.
“We are deeply committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for everyone in our community,” a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassing or abusive behaviour, including sexual misconduct.
“If anyone in our community experiences or sees this kind of behavior, we urge you to contact us so we can provide the appropriate support and take action.”
There will be a report on the death of Dr. Forge are prepared for the coroner.
For confidential crisis support 24/7, call Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or 1800 RESPECT