This is common advice in
Rape Prevention classes. It is classic
psychology.
Basically, people are selfish and act with a
mob mentality. If you're in a big crowd and get attacked, and yell "
Help!", individuals tend to think that someone else will answer the call for help. This is called
diffusion of
responsibility.
If, on the other hand, you yell "
Fire!", people all of the sudden get very worried about their own personal
safety and pay attention very well. Once attention is drawn to yourself, the attacker will probably back off or you will be helped.
Now, it is important to note not to do this in very confined areas or areas where people may get really panicked. Places not to do this include
airports, airplanes,
movie theatres,
schools, college lecture halls, et cetera. Of course, you're not apt to get attacked or raped in all of these places, but you get the basic idea.
And, as noded in
You can't shout fire in a crowded theater, it is very illegal in some places.