In most platforms, they are. Flagging a thing is flagging it... usually some sort of inappropriate content/spam/kiddie porn/racism/threats/etc. The idea of flagging is it raises awareness on a method of filtering content. Be it a manual admin, or an automated system like we have here where it actually hides the content from people/feeds/etc.

A downvote is "I didn't like your content or have a differing opinion." Not "your content is abusive and should be removed."