A Warrnambool woman has slammed the federal government as "very out of touch".
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Cassandra Prigg, who was a candidate in the most recent Warrnambool City Council elections, said it was insulting that a national trial would offer counselling to women seeking emergency contraception.
"I think it's really making a lot of assumptions about women, a lot of degrading assumptions," Ms Prigg said.
"It's assuming women are not capable about making their own decisions about their own reproductive rights."
It was announced on the weekend counselling by a pharmacist would be offered to women about their long-term contraception options if they purchase a morning after pill or abortion drug RU486.
Pharmacists in 21 chemists in Victoria, NSW and the Northern Territory will be trained as part of the $2.5 million trial.
Ms Prigg said she was concerned the trial may have unintended consequences.
"It's really making a lot of assumptions about why women need emergency contraception," she said.
"What if someone is sexually assaulted and they are told 'you should be on the pill' - it's outrageous."
Ms Prigg said the trial was indicative of the questionable attitudes of the "male led" federal government.
The founder of Doctors Against Violence Towards Women Dr Karen Williams slammed the proposal.
"As someone who works with rape survivors, the last thing she needs is someone assuming she's pregnant because she didn't know what her choices were," Dr Williams posted on Twitter about the trial.
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