TL;DR: I’m on a website that accuses me of a very serious crime and it’s ruining not only my reputation but also further job prospects or advancement.

I recently found out that I’ve been called out/put on blast on a website called The Dirty.com. For those unfamiliar with it it’s a website that allows people to submit photos and not-so-forgiving written statements about someone wronged them or how they’re a bad person in their city. Anything from terrible relationships, dead-beat parents, drug-use, STD transmission, escorting, etc. You name it, there’s a story about someone who uses it as a way of revenge to get back at someone else.

I’m unfortunately on it and the person says I have a shitty job, shitty car, will just have sex with you then leave, etc. I can deal with that. The part I can’t deal with is their claim that I gave them an STD and furthermore that I’m a “rapist”.

I understand everyone has the right to free speech and freedom to express themselves but what if it is directly affecting me pursuing other job opportunities, relationships, etc? If you type my name in and the city I’m from it’s the first thing that pops up and I feel this is hindering my ability to obtain better job opportunities. Prospective employees haven’t said this directly but one mentioned my, “social media presence is not acceptable to the company” or something along those lines.

Do I have any options to petition the website to remove any unfounded claims against me? Every one of my Suits-watching, would-be brilliant legal minds I call friends insists its libelous and is defaming my character. I’ve looked at the standards needed to prove such a claim but I’m not so sure it’s actually feasible.

Putting their sabre-rattling aside, what are my options, if any?