EXCLUSIVE
An esteemed multi-millionaire philosophy professor who died while facing sexual assault allegations struck a $20,000-a-month agreement with a sex worker which required her to call him ‘Daddy’.
Dr John Forge, 77, plunged to his death at Cataract Gorge, Launceston, on May 2 this year – just hours after being visited by a detective over allegations he sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman, aged in her 30s, between 2019 and 2022.
The Oxford University alumnus’ death has sent shockwaves through Australia’s academia circles, where Dr Forge – an honorary professor at the University of Sydney – was a respected researcher who dedicated 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 Melbourne-based sex worker, was employed by Dr Forge from January to October last year.
During that time, he lived between Sydney and Launceston and would fly her to both cities to see him.
‘We got on quite well and decided to do an arrangement, where I would see him a certain number of times per month,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I received a generous monthly allowance of $20,000 plus exotic holidays.
Respected philosophy professor Dr John Forge (pictured) died last month amid allegations he sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman for three years
Skylar Silverstein, a Melbourne-based sex worker, was employed by Dr Forge from January to October last year
‘He took me to all the high end restaurants, showered me in expensive gifts. We drunk the best champagnes and wines. He bought me designer items and a luxury spa.
‘We shared a lot of personal details. I really felt I knew him even in that time. We spoke over the phone everyday.’
But despite public appearances, Dr Forge had a wild side – and some very unusual fetishes.
‘He was extremely kinky. Under the arrangement, I had to call him ‘Daddy John’ and he wanted me tied up and gagged,’ Ms Silverstein said.
‘He even engaged in illicit drug taking at 77 years of age!
‘I have an OnlyFans account and he was helping me with the content. His voice is in some of the videos.’
Last month, Ms Silverstein was shocked when she received a call to inform her about his death and the surrounding circumstances.
It was only then that she realised some of the seemingly innocent conversations she had with Dr Forge were in hindsight exceptionally ‘creepy’.
Ms Silverstein was employed by Dr Forge between January and October last year
A letter Dr Forge wrote to Ms Silverstein detailing aspects of their agreement
‘In the arrangement, he spoke about her [his alleged victim] a lot. It was strange,’ she said.
‘He said he loved her.. [but] it was a sick love. He was [allegedly] stalking her.
‘He took advantage of the vulnerable.
‘It makes me sick to my stomach.’
Dr Forge, who was named an honorary professor at the University of Sydney in the early 2000s, focused his research on the moral responsibilities of scientists, in particular in using and developing weapons.
His impressive list of tertiary accomplishments included stints studying at several prestigious institutions, including Oxford, Cornell and University College London.
On top of the Eureka Prize, his book, The Responsible Scientist: A Philosophical Inquiry, earned him the 2009 David Harold Tribe Philosophy Award.
He also featured in interviews on ABC programmes, including Late Night Live and The Philosopher’s Zone.
Sex abuse detectives visited Dr Forge at his home at about 1.30pm on May 2, requesting he attend the police station to give a statement regarding the allegations.
The alleged victim’s mother told Daily Mail Australia the detective called her at 3pm, informing her she had attended the property.
But later that evening, the detective called back to inform her Dr Forge had been found dead by a member of the public at Cataract Gorge.
‘It took a lot of guts to go to police and make 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 is never going to have his day in court. He is never going to have to pay for what he has [allegedly] done.”‘
According to his website, Dr Forge defined morality as ‘the way moral persons ought to behave towards others’ and claimed ‘to cause harm unnecessarily, gratuitously, is to do moral wrong.’
Ms Silverstein said Dr Forge was proud of his reputation and was skilled at hiding his true self.
‘He seemed charming, he was well respected in various circles academically, he was an author, he wrote so many books. Underneath that exterior, he was [an alleged] predator,’ she said.
‘It is ironic he wrote a book about the morals of weapons, but yet, where was his moral obligation to this girl.
‘I am going to have to go and have therapy because the person I thought I knew, wasn’t that person.’
The fresh revelations come after Daily Mail Australia revealed Dr Forge was at the centre of sexual assault allegations at the time of his death.
His profile on the University of Sydney website has since been removed.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for The University of Sydney told Daily Mail Australia the educator was concerned by 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 to any form of intimidating or abusive behaviour, including sexual misconduct.
‘If any of our community experiences or witnesses such behaviour we urge them to get in touch so we can provide appropriate support and follow up.’
A report into Dr Forge’s death will be prepared for the Coroner.
For confidential crisis support 24/7, call Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or 1800 RESPECT