Richmond, Va. - An appeals court has decided a group of military men and women can't sue the government over rape and sexual assaults.
Today, the court essentially upheld a lower court's ruling.
The 4th circuit court of appeals in Richmond refused to act after a judge dismissed the group's lawsuit in December of 2011.
The 25 women and three men involved in the attempted suit currently serve or have served in the military and say they were raped or sexually assaulted.
The group had appealed a lower court's ruling that upholds the law stating that Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines cannot sue the military for injuries.
The court's decision today says it is deferring to Congress and the executive branch in matters of military oversight as required by the Constitution.
The military support group "Protect Our Defenders" said the lawsuit is about victims taking a stand and addressing the problem they see with rape and sexual assault in the military.
