Is Marseilles a no-no for women?

I'm thinking of going to Marseilles for a brief visit in autumn but have read several reports on tripadvisor virtualtourist and suchlike which paint the town as a vision of Hell itself you would seem lucky to escape from with your clothes still on. I am actually quite scared and don't think I could handle being wolfwhistled by louts, having my purse snatched and bottom pinched or being robbed of my passport. Should I just give up and not go or are these reports vastly exaggerated? Are there any areas I should really avoid? Any safe areas?