Very true.
You can increase your odds in a wide variety of ways, simply by thinking ahead.
Under non-violent thoughts, tops on the list is to *always* carry a fake wallet with you. Keep some expired credit cards and twenty or more one Dollar bills in it. That much green will buy you the time and distraction that you need to casually escape street muggings. Freely hand over that wallet when challenged.
Insure everything else (e.g. jewelry) and give it up if asked.
Under semi-violent responses, tops on the list is a dog. You are much, much less likely to be mugged (much less successfully) if you are walking or driving with a decent-sized dog or two.
Under violent responses, tops on the list is a handgun that is ready to fire (e.g. a revolver that requires no cocking). Do *not* choose this option if you can't devote time for safety and proficiency training. Do *not* choose this option if you think that "dialog" after you pull a gun is the answer. Guns are for killing, not for waving.
So from non-violent through semi-violent to violent, there are fine, clever, very efficient ways to not be a rape or robbery victim. I've barely scratched the surface.
But nowhere on the list is taunting or bluffing. Loud mouths are for civil discourse, at best, and have no place in life or death conflicts.
Go taunt the felon after he's been locked up behind bars, *not* while he threatens your very existence. In the meantime, outsmart such villans by thinking and *acting* ahead of time.
If you can't or won't pack heat or go out with a dog, then for heaven's sake at least carry a fake wallet. Hand it over and hold back your laughter until after the perp is out of hearing range. Some nurses even put a smelling salt capsule in their coat pocket to be broken in case of an attack; others a vial of deer urine (the smell is so overpowering that it generally prevents rapes and straight robberies).