Pirating is ruining my game experience

[casero]

I've never been a miner, so I can't help in that matter.

As a trader I do have some tips.

First, get a nice Armor, spend 200 cargo space for a good hard armor, or at least an universal MKVIII (20 cargo space)
Go through systems with trade lanes, there are many pirates in the server, yes, but most of them work alone. With a big transport with a nice armor, you can escape to the nearest station if it's a lonely pirate (no matter what he's flying).

Against 2 or more pirates, you are screwed.

About escorts, well, I don't use them much, but when I do, there's always a freelancer or a merc willing to escout a lane ahead for you, or jump through a gate to see if it's clear.

Where do you can get one? I can't help with that, I just ask to random people around.

May be you could join a coorporation faction, they use escorts.