some of the best advice my karate instructor gave me was this
if you ever threatened, make it known and loudly-that way when you kick the assailant's ass you're covered in court
also-if you're talking to them, reach towards your back pocket, inside of coat, purse as if you're going for a gun. even if you don't have a gun, the bluff has a good chance of working. especially if you live in the south
if you're ever being mugged for money, take your wallet, show them and throw it in the opposite direction and run. the money is what they want so they'll go after that or at least be distracted enough for you to run or knock them out if you know how it
and advice from my cousin-if yelling help doesn't work scream fire, people will come running (twisted i know)