There are two major economic mechanisms that could partially explain the reduction in reported rapes. 1) Bargaining Power - the legalization of prostitution makes it easier for them to hold bargaining power over their clients, which would decrease sex worker victimization. 2) Rape and Prostitution as substitutes. Substitutes are goods or services that can be exchanged for each other. The increase in the supply of sex workers leading to a reduction in the price could encourage men who are able to substitute purchasing sex for rape to move towards participating in the sex market instead of engaging in violence.