Yes. The first approach is to pay attention to where you operate until you develop some fighting skill. Standing of +600 (Admired) makes you a less attractive target. Be aware that many stations in UIT space are monitored by factions (like TPG, Orion, etc.), not by UIT. Standing with each of those factions has to be acquired independently of UIT standing. So sticking to UIT and TPG stations at first may help. Do not fly in grey space. Relocating deep in Itani space might be necessary to get away from rats. Do not advertise on 100 where you are or where you are going.
Your levels are 1/1/0/1/2. You can spend time shooting easy bots in Arta Caelestis and probably will not be bothered. Take Beginner Combat Practice. Vary the station that you base from to avoid being camped. This will get you some combat and weapon levels. When you mine, don't do it at a station. There are lots of sectors with roids and no bots that are not marked on the nav map. Do some exploring in Arta and Dau to find some of these. Base at a UIT or TPG station.
Fly faster ships. If you can find Ninjr, buy some Ultra Charge fuel cells from him. Fly a Warthog II with UC fuel cell when you're just motoring from one station to another. Very hard to catch. As soon as you can buy it, use Atlas X (available at TPG stations) for a greasy fast light trade ship. Again, always use UC fuel cell as soon as you're able to acquire some. The generally available counterpart, Fast Charge, requires combat 4 and trade 4, so will be inaccessible to you for a while.
Hope some of this helps. Perhaps we should talk a little in game.
-- tsreknor