It guides its users in determining when certain sexual behaviour is acceptable and when other sexual behaviour should be restricted or forbidden, following objective criteria. It also provides professionals with guidelines on how to respond and helps them support young people to experience their sexuality in a sensible and healthy way. 

This growth process starts at an early age. However, in many cases the boundaries of children and youths are crossed, and they are confronted with sexually unacceptable behaviour. The Flag System is used in supporting healthy sexual development and preventing sexual coercion.

Professionals use the drawings to discuss situations with, for example, co-workers. The criteria help them identify the sexual behaviour on the card. The flags are used to categorise the severity of the behaviour and determine the correct educational response.

It is used by professionals in different settings (care, education, social work, sports and other fields) to discuss sexually (un)acceptable behaviour with co-workers, management, parents, care-takers and with the children and young people themselves.